cu·pu·lif·er·ae \ˌkyüp(y)əˈlifəˌrē\noun plural Usage: capitalized Etymology: New Latin, from cupula + -i- + -ferae (feminine plural of -fer -ferous) in some classifications: an order or family of catkin-bearing trees including oaks, chestnuts, beeches, birches, and others that are now usually divided among the families Betulaceae and Fagaceae • cu·pu·lif·er·ous\| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|lif(ə)rəs\adjective