MAPLE

[ma.ple] n [ME, fr. OE mapul-; akin to ON mopurr maple] (14c): any of a genus (Acer of the family Aceraceae, the maple family) of chiefly deciduous trees or shrubs with opposite leaves and a fruit of two united samaras; also: the hard light-colored close-grained wood of a maple used esp. for flooring and furniture