Chinese dogwood

noun

: dogwood
The Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa) has the flowers open after the first set of leaves have expanded therefore the showy white bracts are partially hidden by the new leaves.Harvey Cotten, Huntsville (Alabama) Times, 19 Apr. 2008

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Chinese dogwood was in 1953

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near Chinese dogwood

Cite this Entry

“Chinese dogwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Chinese%20dogwood. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!