Main Entry:

ma·ple

Pronunciation:

\ˈmā-pəl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English mapul-; akin to Old Norse mǫpurr maple

Date:

14th century

: any of a genus (Acer of the family Aceraceae, the maple family) of chiefly deciduous trees or shrubs with opposite leaves and a fruit of two united samaras ; also : the hard light-colored close-grained wood of a maple used especially for flooring and furniture