Elm
/ɛlm/noun
A deciduous tree of the genus Ulmus, known for its tough wood and serrated leaves.
Did you know?Elm ultimately comes from a prehistoric Indo-European tree-name that also survives in Latin ulmus and in the Germanic word for the same tree, showing how deeply ancient peoples named the forest around them.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁el-
“A proposed ancient tree-name or related root underlying later words for elm in several branches.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*elmōn-
“The elm tree.”
Old English
OE
elm
“The elm tree.”
Middle English
ME
elm
“The elm tree.”
Modern English
English
elm
“A tree of the genus Ulmus.”