arborvitae

See also: arbor vitae

English

Platycladus orientalis, an arborvitae (sense 1)

Etymology

From Latin arbor (“tree”) +‎ vitae (“of life”).

Pronunciation

• (General American)
  • IPA^(key): /ˌɑɹbɚˈvaɪti/; [ˌɑɹbɚˈvaɪɾi], (Canadian raising) [ˌɑɹbɚˈvəɪɾi]
  • IPA^(key): /ˌɑɹbɚˈvaɪtə/

Noun

arborvitae (plural arborvitaes)

1. Any of several North American or Asian conifers, of the genera Thuja and Thujopsis or the species Platycladus orientalis, grown for timber or ornament.
2. (anatomy) The white nerve tissue of the cerebellum that has a branching structure.