sycamore
/ˈsɪkəmɔː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈɪkəmˌɔr] /ˈsɪkəmɔːr/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈɪkəmˌɔr] /ˈsi-kə-ˌmȯr How to pronounce sycamore (audio)/ (ame, mw)
sycamore — noun
- sycamoresingular
- sycamoresplural
1. a maple tree common in Europe, known for its broad five-point leaves and paired
a maple tree common in Europe, known for its broad five-point leaves and paired seeds that whirl down through the air.
Hui stopped to watch sycamore seeds twirl across the school yard in October.
collocation: sycamore seeds
Esteban planted a sycamore near the gate to give the sheep summer shade.
After the rain, bark flaked off the old sycamore by the canal.
A sycamore spread wide leaves over the picnic bench beside the field.
- sycamore maple
the fuller name for this exact European tree
- maple
the broader family name; not every maple is a sycamore
文法句型
a sycamore
sycamore seeds
用法筆記
In British English, this usually means the European maple tree. Distinguish it from sense 2, where American English more often uses 'sycamore' for a plane tree.
2. a plane tree, especially the American kind, with large lobed leaves and pale bar
a plane tree, especially the American kind, with large lobed leaves and pale bark that peels away in thin patches.
Jason pointed to the sycamore's patchy trunk beside the river path.
feature: patchy trunk
Workers trimmed the huge sycamore outside the courthouse after the storm.
In summer, children played under a sycamore at the edge of the park.
The guide explained that American sycamores often grow near streams.
- plane tree
the wider everyday name for trees in this family
- American plane tree
a precise name for the North American species
文法句型
an American sycamore
a sycamore by the river
用法筆記
This is the everyday American use of 'sycamore' for a plane tree. Distinguish it from sense 1, which names a maple in British English.
3. a fig tree native to parts of Africa and western Asia, especially the one mentio
a fig tree native to parts of Africa and western Asia, especially the one mentioned in the Bible and grown for its small edible fruit.
Talia read about Zacchaeus climbing a sycamore to see Jesus pass.
biblical context: climb a sycamore
Farmers rested under the sycamore while goats grazed near the dry wall.
In the hot valley, the sycamore bore small figs on bare twigs.
The museum label said the biblical sycamore belongs to the fig family.
- sycamore fig
the fuller name for this African and Middle Eastern tree
- fig tree
a broader category; this sense names one particular kind
文法句型
a biblical sycamore
sycamore figs
用法筆記
Usually appears in Bible, history, or botany contexts rather than everyday talk about garden trees.
4. the strong, pale wood from a sycamore tree, used for furniture, bowls, and other
the strong, pale wood from a sycamore tree, used for furniture, bowls, and other carved objects.
The chair maker shaped the sycamore into a smooth salad bowl.
pattern: shape sycamore into [object]
Aylin chose sycamore for the cabinet because its grain looked soft and even.
The old music stand was made of sycamore and brass.
Craftsmen value sycamore when they want hard wood that still cuts cleanly.
文法句型
made of sycamore
carved from sycamore
用法筆記
Uncountable when you mean the material: say 'made of sycamore', not 'made of a sycamore'. Distinguish it from the living tree senses above.