Rain Tree
/ˈreɪn triː/noun
A tropical tree, especially Samanea saman, known for its broad spreading crown and rain-like dripping beneath the canopy.
Did you know?Samanea saman is often called a rain tree because sap-sucking insects can cause large amounts of honeydew to drip from its branches, creating artificial rain beneath the canopy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reg-
“A reconstructed root associated with moistness or dampness, sometimes connected with the ancestry of rain-related Germanic words.”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*regną
“Rain; the reconstructed source of the Germanic rain word family.”
Old English
Old English
regn
“Rain; precipitation from the sky.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deru-
“Firm wood or tree; a root that also developed meanings connected with firmness and steadfastness.”
Old English
Old English
trēow
“Tree; also a piece of wood or timber.”
Middle English
English
tre(e)
“A woody plant or large perennial with a trunk.”
Modern English
English
rain tree
“A compound name for certain trees associated with rain-like dripping or rainfall, especially Samanea saman.”