shəˈpä(ˌ)rō, ch- noun
( -s )
Etymology: American Spanish, from Spanish, dwarf evergreen oak
1. : a Mexican oak ( Quercus reticulata ) with close-grained hard brown wood
2. or chaparro prieto : a Mexican acacia ( Acacia amentacea ) with sweet-scented yellow flowers
3. : a tropical American tree ( Curatella americana ) of the family Dilleniaceae distinguished by very rough leaves that are widely used for polishing and scouring — called also sandpaper tree
4. : any of several trees of the genus Byrsonima most of which have edible fruits and bark useful for tanning