oak

oak

noun, often attributive \ˈōk\

plural oaks or oak

Definition of OAK

1

a : any of a genus (Quercus) of trees or shrubs of the beech family that produce acorns; also : any of various plants related to or resembling the oaks

b : the tough hard durable wood of an oak tree

2

: the leaves of an oak used as decoration

— oak·en \ˈō-kən\ adjective

Examples of OAK

1. Tall oaks line the street.
2. The table is solid oak.
3. The cabinets are made of oak.

Illustration of OAK

Origin of OAK

Middle English ook, from Old English āc; akin to Old High German eih oak and perhaps to Greek aigilōps, a kind of oak

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with OAK

bloke, broke, choke, cloak, coke, croak, folk, hoke, joke, moke, poke, Polk, roque, smoke, soak, soke, spoke, stoke, stroke, toke, toque, yogh, yoke, yolk

oak

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Black oak (Quercus velutina)—Walter Dawn

Any of about 450 species of ornamental and timber trees and shrubs that make up the genus Quercus in the beech family, found throughout temperate climates. Oaks are deciduous trees that bear spring catkins (male flowers) and spikes (female flowers) on the same tree. The leaves have lobed, toothed, or smooth margins. The fruit is the acorn. They are hardy and long-lived shade trees. White oaks have smooth leaves and rapidly germinating sweet acorns; red, or black, oaks have bristle-tipped leaves and bitter, hairy acorns. Red- and white-oak lumber is used in construction, flooring, furniture, millwork, barrel making, and the production of crossties, structural timbers, and mine props. The genus includes many ornamentals and natural hybrids.