n.1 any large forest tree of the genus Fagus, having smooth grey bark and glossy leaves.
2 (also beechwood) its wood.
3 Austral. any of various similar trees in Australia.
Phrases and idioms:
beech-fern a fern, Thelypteris phagopteris, found in damp woods. beech-marten a white-breasted marten, Martes foina, of S. Europe and Asia.
Derivatives:
beechy adj.
Etymology: OE bece f. Gmc