I. ˈtrē noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English trēow; akin to Old Norse trē tree, Greek drys, Sanskrit dāru wood
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a woody perennial plant having a single usually elongate main stem generally with few or no branches on its lower part
b. : a shrub or herb of arborescent form
rose tree s
a banana tree
2.
a.
(1) : a piece of wood (as a post or pole) usually 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 usually from a simple stem or vertex without forming loops or polygons
a genealogical tree
phylogenetic tree s
b. : a much-branched system of channels especially in an animal body
the vascular tree
4. : saddletree
• tree·less -ləs adjective
• tree·like -ˌlīk adjective
II. transitive verb
( treed ; tree·ing )
Date: 1575
1.
a. : to drive to or up a tree
treed by a bull
dogs tree ing game
b. : to put into a position of extreme disadvantage : corner ; especially : to bring to bay
2. : to furnish or fit (as a shoe) with a tree