I. ˈbēch noun
( plural beeches or beech )
Etymology: Middle English beche, from Old English bēce; akin to Old English bōc beech, Old High German buohha, Old Norse bōk, Latin fagus beech, Greek phēgos oak, and perhaps to Russian buzina elder
1. : any tree of the genus Fagus characterized by smooth gray bark, hard fine-grained wood, deep green foliage, and small sweet-flavored edible triangular nuts enclosed in burs — see american beech , copper beech , european beech ; tree illustration
2. : the wood of the beech
3. Australia : any of numerous trees resembling the true beech especially in their timber — compare flindosa
4. : a tree of the genus Nothofagus
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English beche, from beche, n.
1. : of or relating to the beech
2. : made of beech