Alnus
/ˈæl.nəs/noun
A genus of trees and shrubs in the birch family, including the alder.
Did you know?The Latin name *alnus* gave English *alder* its scientific identity, and alder wood was famously used in wet ground, bridges, and even waterlogged foundations because it resists decay unusually well.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂eln- / *al-n-
“A proposed ancient root referring to the alder tree or a related wetland tree”
Pre-Latin / Italic
Italic
*alnos
“A word for the alder tree, inherited into Latin”
Classical Latin
Latin
alnus
“The alder tree”
Scientific Latin
New Latin
Alnus
“A genus name for alders and related shrubs”
Modern English
English
alnus
“A scientific or botanical term for alder trees in the genus Alnus”