juniper

ju·ni·per

noun \ˈjü-nə-pər\

Definition of JUNIPER

1

a : any of numerous shrubs or trees (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family with leaves resembling needles or scales and female cones usually resembling berries b : the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper; especially : the bluish one of a common juniper (J. communis) which is used to flavor foods and from which is obtained an acrid essential oil used especially as a flavoring in gin and liqueurs —called also juniper berry

2

: any of several coniferous trees resembling true junipers

Origin of JUNIPER

Middle English junipere, from Latin juniperus

First Known Use: 14th century