View your list of saved words. (You can log in using Facebook.)
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
Definition of TUPELO
: any of a genus (Nyssa of the family Nyssaceae) of North American and Asian deciduous trees that have simple alternate leaves, small usually greenish-white dioecious flowers, and a rounded drupe; especially:black gum
: the pale soft wood of a tupelo
Origin of TUPELO
perhaps from Creek *topiló, from etó tree + piló:(fa), opiló:(fa) swamp
Any of about seven species of trees that make up the genus Nyssa in the sour gum family (Nyssaceae). Five are found in moist or swampy areas of eastern North America, one in eastern Asia, and one in western Malaysia. They all have horizontal or hanging branches, broad leaves, and male and female flowers on different plants. North American species bear greenish-white flowers and small bluish-black or purple berries. The most widespread North American species is the black gum. Tupelo wood, most of which comes from the water tupelo (N. aquatica), is pale yellow to light brown, fine-textured, and strong. It is used for crates and boxes, flooring, wooden utensils, and veneers.