aspen
adjectivenounattested in dialogue
- //ˈæspən//
Pertaining to the aspen tree.
adjective
- 1
Pertaining to the aspen tree.
- 2
obsoleteTremulous, trembling.
And then poore Aspen wretch, neglected thou / Bath'd in a cold quicksilver sweat wilt lye / A veryer ghost than I […].
- 3
obsoleteResembling an asp in some way
- 4
obsoleteResembling an asp in some way wagging, gossiping.
Etymology
From Middle English aspen, corresponding to asp + -en.
noun
- 1
A poplar tree, especially of section Populus sect. Populus, of medium-size trees with thin, straight trunks of a greenish-white color.
Above a certain elevation, the aspens gave way to scrubby, gnarled pines.
ſtaggering like a quiuering Aſpen leafe, Fearing the force of Boreas boiſtrous blaſts.
Instead there were the white of aspens, streaks of branch and slender trunk glistening from the green of leaves[…].
The beloved aspen forests that shimmer across mountainsides of the American West could be doomed if emissions of greenhouse gases continue at a high level, scientists warned on Monday. […] The new paper analyzed the drought and heat that killed millions of aspens in Colorado and nearby states a decade ago.
- 2
The wood of such a tree; usually pale, lightweight and soft.
She claimed that aspen was the only "proper" material from which to make a wicker basket.
Etymology
From Middle English aspen, from Old English æspen, Old English æspan (combining form), from Old English æspe (“aspen”). More at asp.
Forms
- plural
- aspens
- comparative
- more aspen
- superlative
- most aspen