Definition of lignum vitae in English:
lignum vitae
noun ˌlɪɡnəm ˈvʌɪtiːˈviːtʌɪ
another term for guaiacum
Example sentencesExamples
- Wild orchids and the gorgeous purple national flower, lignum vitae, twine among the tangle of vines and the aerial ‘Old Man's Beard’ drips from telephone and power lines.
- Handles and other wooden components are mahogany lignum vitae, or fruit-wood rather than the beech typically used for tools.
- It is also a very hard and heavy wood, even more so than lignum vitae, or ironwood.
- Look out for objects made of lignum vitae, a heavy rose-coloured hardwood, but shop around to get a sense of value before buying.
- Closer scrutiny reveals that they are made of lignum vitae, an exotic West Indian hardwood characterized by occasional streaks of bright yellow.