ˈsēdə(r) noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English cedre, from Old French, from Latin cedrus, from Greek kedros cedar, juniper; akin to Lithuanian kadagys juniper, and perhaps to Old Slavic kaditi to fumigate, Sanskrit kadru tawny
1.
a. : cedar of lebanon ; broadly : a tree of the genus Cedrus (as a deodar) — called also true cedar
b. : any of numerous coniferous trees chiefly of temperate or subtropical regions that are felt to resemble the true cedars especially in the fragrance and durability of their wood: as
(1) : a tree of the genus Juniperus ; especially : red cedar
(2) : a tree of the genus Chamaecyparis ; especially : southern white cedar
(3) : a tree of the genus Thuja (as western red cedar)
(4) : a tree of the genus Libocedrus (as incense cedar or kaikawaka)
c. : any of various chiefly tropical trees of the family Meliaceae having typically a reddish aromatic wood: as
(1) : a tree of the genus Cedrela (as Spanish cedar or toon)
(2) : mahogany 3a, 3b
d. : any of several tropical American trees of the genera Tabebuia and Tecoma ; especially : a medium-sized West Indian tree ( Tabebuia pallida ) with compound leaves and showy pink or white flowers
e. Australia : silky ash
2.
a. : cedarwood
b. : any of various woods that are felt to resemble cedarwood especially in fragrance, durability, or color — not used technically without a qualifying term
3. : a variable color averaging a grayish red that is yellower and duller than bois de rose or appleblossom, yellower and less strong than blush rose, and duller than Pompeian red