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white mahogany

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white mahogany

–noun
1. an Australian eucalyptus, Eucalyptus acmenioides.
2. the hard, heavy wood of this tree, used for making railroad ties, posts, etc.
3. primavera (def. 2).

pri⋅ma⋅ve⋅ra

1[pree-muh-vair-uh]
–noun
1. a central American tree, Cybistax donnell-smithii, of the bignonia family, having showy, tubular yellow flowers.
2. Also called white mahogany. the hard, yellowish-white wood of this tree, used for making furniture.

Origin:
1890–95; < Sp: lit., spring; so called from its early flowering; see primaveral
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pri·ma·ve·ra 1 or pri·ma ve·ra   (prē'mə-věr'ə)   
n.  
  1. A tree (Cybistax donnellsmithii) of Mexico and Guatemala, having opposite, palmately compound leaves, yellow flowers, and close-grained, light-colored wood.

  2. The wood of this tree, used in cabinetry. Also called white mahogany.


[Spanish, spring, primavera, from Late Latin prīma vēra, early spring, pl. of prīmum vēr : Latin prīmus, first; see per1 in Indo-European roots + Latin vēr, spring; see wes in Indo-European roots.]
white mahogany  
n.  See primavera1.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

primavera 
"spring," 1824, from It., lit. "spring time," from L. prima vera, pl. of primus ver "first spring;" for second element, see vernal.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia

white mahogany

(species Cybistax donnel-smithii), timber tree of Central America with brilliant yellow flowers, or its firm light wood, often called white mahogany. Although the tree is unrelated to true mahogany, the wood resembles it in being easy to work, lustrous, and free of tendency to warp. When first cut, it is a pale yellow; upon exposure to air and light it darkens to a yellowish rose with streaks of red, orange, and brown. Primavera is used, either in thin lumber or veneer form, for special effects in paneling and cabinetmaking.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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