Broad-leafed is a term that is commonly used to describe plants and trees that have wide, flat leaves. This term is often used to distinguish these types of plants from those that have needle-like leaves or other types of foliage. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of broad-leafed, as well as its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and usage in example sentences.
Definitions
Broad-leafed is an adjective that describes plants or trees that have leaves that are wide and flat. These leaves are typically larger than those of other types of plants and may be broad, oval, or heart-shaped. Broad-leafed plants are often deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in the fall, but some evergreen plants also have broad leaves.
Origin
The term broad-leafed has been in use for many years and is derived from the Old English word “braed” which means broad or wide, and “leaf” which refers to the foliage of a plant. The term has been used to describe plants and trees with broad leaves since the 16th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, broad-leafed means “having broad leaves”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “having leaves that are wide and flat, as opposed to needle-like or scale-like leaves”. The Collins English Dictionary describes it as “having broad leaves, as opposed to needle-like or scale-like leaves”.
Associations
Broad-leafed plants are often associated with temperate climates and are commonly found in forests, woodlands, and gardens. They are also associated with deciduous trees, such as oak, maple, and beech, which are known for their vibrant fall foliage. Broad-leafed plants are often used for landscaping and can provide shade, privacy, and aesthetic appeal.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for broad-leafed include broad-leaved, broad-foliaged, broad-leaf, and broad-leafed tree.
Antonyms
The antonyms of broad-leafed are narrow-leafed, needle-leaved, and scale-leaved.
The same root words
Broad-leafed does not have any root words, as it is a compound word made up of “broad” and “leaf”.
Example Sentences
- The broad-leafed maple tree provided shade on a hot summer day.
- The garden was filled with a variety of broad-leafed plants.
- The broad-leafed oak tree turned a beautiful shade of red in the fall.
- The broad-leafed rhododendron bush was in full bloom.
- The broad-leafed ferns added a lush greenery to the forest floor.