cor·na·ce·ae \kȯrˈnāsēˌē\noun plural Usage: capitalized Etymology: New Latin, from Cornus, type genus + -aceae : a family of mainly temperate-region trees, shrubs, or herbs (order Umbellales) comprising the dogwoods and related plants and having small clustered flowers, an inferior ovary, and drupaceous fruit • cor·na·ceous\(ˈ)kȯr|nāshəs\adjective