Poplar
/ˈpɒp.lər/noun
A tree of the genus Populus, often fast-growing and commonly planted as an ornamental or shade tree.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *populus* (“people”), because poplars were so common in public places that the tree’s name became linked with the crowd.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peh₂-
“to fill”
Latin
Latin
populus
“the people, the populace”
Classical Latin
Latin
Populus
“the poplar tree genus name, associated with public places”
Old French
Old French
poplier
“poplar tree”
Middle English
English
popler
“poplar tree”
Modern English
English
poplar
“a poplar tree”
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