[tree] n [ME, fr. OE treow; akin to ON tre tree, Gk drys, Skt daru wood] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a woody perennial plant having a single usu. elongate main stem generally with few or no branches on its lower part b: a shrub or herb of arborescent form "rose ~s" "a banana ~"
2. a (1): a piece of wood (as a post or pole) usu. adapted to a particular use or forming part of a structure or implement (2) archaic: the cross on which Jesus was crucified b archaic: gallows
3: something in the form of or resembling a tree: as a: a diagram or graph that branches usu. from a simple stem without forming loops or polygons "genealogical ~" b: a much-branched system of channels esp. in an animal body "the vascular ~"
4: saddletree -- tree.less adj -- tree.like adj
[2]tree vt treed ; tree.ing (1575) 1 a: to drive to or up a tree "treed by a bull" "dogs ~ing game" b: to put into a position of extreme disadvantage: corner; esp: to bring to bay
2: to furnish or fit (as a shoe) with a tree