ˌp]alōˈvərdē, |p]alō|vərd, ]äl-\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Mexican Spanish, literally, green tree
: any of three thorny trees or shrubs ( Cercidium macrum, C. torreyanum, and C. microphyllum ) of the family Leguminosae that occur in dry parts of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico, have smooth light green bark, small transitory leaves, and racemes of bright yellow flowers, and are locally important as wildlife browse and bee pasture