Main Entry: lin·den

Pronunciation: \ˈlin-dən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, made of linden wood, from Old English, from lind linden tree; probably akin to Old English līthe gentle — more at lithe

Date: 1577

1 : any of a genus (Tilia of the family Tiliaceae, the linden family) of deciduous trees of temperate regions that have cordate leaves and a winglike bract attached to the peduncle of the flower and fruit and that are often planted as ornamental and shade trees: as a : a commonly cultivated European tree (T. europaea syn. T. vulgaris) much used for ornamental planting b : a tree (T. americana) chiefly of the central and eastern United States —called also basswood
2 : the light fine-grained white wood of a linden; especially : basswood 2

[linden illustration]