Juniper Meaning
/ˈd͡ʒuːnɪpə/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAny shrub or tree of the genus Juniperus of the cypress family, which is characterized by pointed, needle-like leaves and aromatic berry-like cones.
nounOne of a number of coniferous trees which resemble junipers.
Sentence Examples
Juniper berries are often used in folk medicine.
The smell of the juniper bushes is so sweet.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ tree's berries are essential for making gin and other spirits.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ tree has small blue berries that are often used as a flavoring agent in certain types of gin.
Word Origin & History
From Late Middle English junyper, juniperus, from Latin iūniperus (“juniper-tree”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"On the mountains a few junipers and piñons are found, and cactuses, agave, and yuccas, low, fleshy plants with bayonets and thorns."
— 1895, J[ohn] W[esley] Powell, chapter I, in Canyons of the Colorado, Meadville, PA: Flood & Vincent; republished as The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons, New York: Dover, 1961, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 22:
"Have a tree or two the witches particularly like, such as the alder, larch, cypress and hemlock; then, to counteract any possible evil effects, there must be a holly, yew, hazel, elder, mountain ash or juniper."
— 1940, Rosetta E. Clarkson, Green Enchantments: The Magic Spell of Gardens, The Macmillan Company, page 273:
"Sometimes I lost track of them and had to hunt round in a circle, thrusting through sharp-scented bushes, scratching myself on various plants which were still new to me: resinaceous rock-roses, juniper [translating genévriers], ilex, yellow and white asphodel."
— 1962, Simone de Beauvoir, translated by Peter Green, The Prime of Life, Cleveland, OH: The World Publishing Company, translation of La Force de l'âge, →OCLC, page 77:
"One typical Grecian kiln engorged one thousand muleloads of juniper wood in a single burn. Fifty such kilns would devour six thousand metric tons of trees and brush annually."
— 2006, Edwin Black, chapter 2, in Internal Combustion, →OL:
"[…] I said you didn't like them ere strong liquors, but if he warn't particular, I was sure you would pledge him in a glass of juniper, for I had always made you, since we had been man and vife^([sic]), take a drop afore you went to market, to keep cold out."
— 1834, Young Hearts: A Novel by a Recluse. With a Preface by Miss Jane Porter, page 106:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ tree's berries are essential for making gin and other spirits.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ tree has small blue berries that are often used as a flavoring agent in certain types of gin.