even-leaved
|e-ven-leaved|
/ˌiːvənˈliːvd/
leaves equal/regular
Etymology
'even-leaved' originates from English, specifically formed from the adjective 'even' and the noun 'leaf' (with past participle-style suffix '-ed' creating a compound adjective).
'even' comes from Old English 'efen' meaning 'level' or 'equal', and 'leaf' comes from Old English 'lēaf'; the combination into a descriptive compound like 'even-leaved' is a Modern English formation.
Initially the elements meant 'level/equal' (for 'even') and 'leaf' (for 'leaf'); over time they combined to form a compound adjective meaning 'having leaves that are equal or regularly arranged.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having leaves that are equal in size or arranged symmetrically or regularly; used especially in botanical descriptions.
The botanist recorded the even-leaved specimen as characteristic of that valley.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/06 17:19