Main Entry:

al·der

Pronunciation:

\ˈȯl-dər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English alor; akin to Old High German elira alder, Latin alnus

Date:

before 12th century

: any of a genus (Alnus) of toothed-leaved trees or shrubs of the birch family that have catkins which become woody, that typically grow in cool moist ground, and that have wood used especially in turnery ; also : its wood