|ärbərˈvīd.]ē, |ȧbəˈv-, -īt], ]i\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin arbor vitae, literally, tree of life
1. : a tree or shrub of the genus Thuja or the closely related Thujopsis — see american arborvitae , oriental arborvitae ; tree illustration
2. : any of several plants of the genus Libocedrus
3. usually arbor vitae : a treelike structure or arrangement (as of nervous tissue in the cerebellum)