[koh-nuh-fer, kon-uh-] 
| 1. | any of numerous, chiefly evergreen trees or shrubs of the class Coniferinae (or group Coniferales), including the pine, fir, spruce, and other cone-bearing trees and shrubs, and also the yews and their allies that bear drupelike seeds. |
| 2. | a plant producing naked seeds in cones, or single naked seeds as in yews, but with pollen always borne in cones. |
| con·i·fer (kŏn'ə-fər, kō'nə-) n. Any of various mostly needle-leaved or scale-leaved, chiefly evergreen, cone-bearing gymnospermous trees or shrubs such as pines, spruces, and firs. [From New Latin Cōniferae, family name, from Latin, feminine pl. of cōnifer, cone-bearing : cōnus, cone (from Greek kōnos; see kō- in Indo-European roots) + -fer, -fer.] co·nif'er·ous (kō-nĭf'ər-əs, kə-) adj. |
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