Word: Christmas tree Part of Speech: noun Etymology: PIE word *dóru From Christmas + tree, a calque of German Weynacht Baum (obsolete, 17th c.), Weihnachtsbaum, from Weynacht, Weihnacht (literary or poetic variant of Weihnachten (“Christmas”)) + -s- (genitive interfix) + Baum (“tree”). The custom of Christmas trees was adopted in the United Kingdom from Germany in the 19th century, having been popularized by their use by the royal family during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. Sense 3 (“Christmas party”) refers to the fact that there is usually a Christmas tree (sense 1) at the event. Pronunciation: /ˈkɹɪsməs tɹiː/, /ˈkɹɪsməs ˌtɹi/ 1. An evergreen tree (usually a conifer), or an artificial tree made to resemble this, which is typically decorated with lights and ornaments and often an angel or star at its tip, and used as a decoration during the Christmas holiday season. Example: "I and your mother," he wrote, "sit in the evenings, and gild apples and nuts, because we intend to dress up a Christmas tree,[…]["] Example: At the head of every table there was a sheep roasted whole, the horns gilt, and the nose tipped with silver. All the fruits were hung upon Christmas trees. 2. Something which resembles a Christmas tree (sense 1) in appearance (for example, in having coloured lights) or shape. Labels: broadly, informal Example: The modern infantryman is a Christmas tree of weaponry, with grenades and extra ammunition hanging from all parts of his upper body. 3. Something which resembles a Christmas tree (sense 1) in appearance (for example, in having coloured lights) or shape. Labels: broadly Example: The V-bar pull-up is a great retro exercise I pulled from the Arnold [Schwarzenegger] & Franco Columbo^([sic – meaning Franco Columbu]) Golden Era bodybuilding days. […] These are great for really developing that Christmas tree in your lower back and the proper arch at the top is key in that regard. 4. Something which resembles a Christmas tree (sense 1) in appearance (for example, in having coloured lights) or shape. Labels: broadly, slang Example: Farnsworth and Reed […] have reported on comparative reaction times to "Christmas tree" signal lights with respect to color deficiency. One of the most important color discriminations involved in the operation of a submarine is that of reading the "Christmas tree," a panel of 30 to 60 small jewel-shaped lights, used to indicate whether hull openings, such as hatches and vents, are sealed or not. 5. Something which resembles a Christmas tree (sense 1) in appearance (for example, in having coloured lights) or shape. Labels: US, broadly, historical Example: The existing ramp, the part that the B-52 used, a great amount of it was out in the alert area, on what we call a christmas tree^([sic]) stub at the end of the runway, in a dispersed posture. Example: At the eastern tip of the runway-taxiway lay the alert area for about nine aircraft, along with an alert building for the airmen to live. This area, called the "Christmas Tree" as a result of the Christmas tree shape of the runway pattern for alert aircraft, had compacted gravel base for concrete, but had not been paved. 6. Something which resembles a Christmas tree (sense 1) in appearance (for example, in having coloured lights) or shape. Labels: broadly Example: Then, after a smoky-burnout to warm up the tires, you're lined up next to another competitor and the Christmas tree lights blink down … yellow, yellow, yellow, green! 7. Something which resembles a Christmas tree (sense 1) in appearance (for example, in having coloured lights) or shape. Labels: broadly, slang Example: Wellheads, which support downhole tubing, casing, and other components, are connected at the top of wells to Christmas trees, which control production rates and fluid flows out of the well and may also direct fluids and equipment into the well 8. Something which resembles a Christmas tree (sense 1) in appearance (for example, in having coloured lights) or shape. Labels: broadly Example: That or, in the name, something given a title to cover up the fact that all it was, was a football formation. But then the Christmas Tree came along. Example: We ended up inventing the Christmas tree formation. It came about as a practical necessity but it married perfectly to the philosophy of the president. 9. A Christmas party, especially one organized for (underprivileged) children by a charity, a school, etc. Labels: broadly Example: The Dennison Associates hold a Christmas Tree for Children and more than 300 little tots are entertained. 10. Often with a descriptive word: any of several shrubs or trees native to Australia which bloom in summer at the end of the year around Christmastime, and so may be used as a Christmas decoration; especially the fire tree or moodjar (Nuytsia floribunda). Labels: Australia Example: SYDNEY CHRISTMAS-TREE [running head] […] The shrub chosen as the Sydney "Christmas" is well worthy of the honour […] The flowers, which are irregularly star-shaped, […] continue increasing in size, and gradually ripening in tint, becoming first a pearl white, then palest blush, then pink, rose-colour, and crimson: the constant change taking place in them, and the presence of all these hues at one time on a spray of half a dozen flowers, has a singularly pretty appearance. Example: In summer, Nuytsia floribunda or WA [Western Australian] Christmas tree dot the roadsides and fields. Christmas trees have long been known to the Noongar people as moodjar, who say the trees hold the spirits of their ancestors. It blooms consistently October to December, signalling the arrival of Christmas, and is believed to be the largest parasitic tree in the world. 11. Synonym of pohutukawa (“a coastal evergreen tree, Metrosideros excelsa, native to New Zealand and producing a brilliant display of red flowers with prominent stamens around Christmastime”) Labels: New-Zealand Example: Another interesting and characteristic tree confined to the province of Auckland is the pohutukawa (Metrosideros tomentosa) or Christmas tree of the settlers, so called from its blooming at the Christmas season and taking the place, in household decoration, of the berried mistletoe and holly. Example: Perhaps the most strikingly beautiful New Zealand flower is the pohutukawa (Metrosideros tomentosa), a close relation of the ratas. It, too, has brilliant red flowers, also spiky, and from their season of blooming it is sometimes called the Christmas-tree.