SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

lignum vitae

noun lig·num vi·tae \ ˌlig-nəm-ˈvī-tē \

Definition of lignum vitae

plural lignum vitaes

1 : the very hard heavy wood of any of several tropical American guaiacums

2 : a tree yielding lignum vitae

Recent Examples of lignum vitae from the Web

The scents are created using native flowers — such as hibiscus, lignum vitae, elderflower — from St. Martin, Aruba, St. Thomas and other islands.

— kavita daswani, latimes.com, "So, you want to avoid holiday commercialism? These gifts give back to those in need," 3 Nov. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lignum vitae.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lignum vitae

New Latin, literally, wood of life

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1594

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

lignum vitae

noun lig·num vi·tae \ ˌlig-nəm-ˈvīt-ē \

medical Definition of lignum vitae

plural lignum vitaes

1 : any of several tropical American trees of the genus Guaiacum with very hard heavy wood; especially : either of two (G. officinale or G. sanctum) that are sources of guaiacum resin

2 : the wood of a lignum vitae

Learn More about lignum vitae

See words that rhyme with lignum vitae Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lignum vitae

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lignum vitae? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

traduce

play

to lower or disgrace the reputation of

BROWSE DICTIONARY

ligno-tuber

lignum aloes

lignum vitae

ligroin

ligul-

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game