How Do You Spell YEW?

Pronunciation: [jˈuː] (IPA)

The word "yew" is spelled with three letters: y, e, and w. It is pronounced as /juː/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The letter "y" represents the sound "yoo" and the letter "e" represents the sound "oo" in this word. The letter "w" is used to represent the semivowel sound "w" at the end of the word. The spelling of the word "yew" is peculiar and is not related to its meaning, which refers to a type of evergreen tree often used for hedges and landscape design.

YEW Meaning and Definition

  1. Yew refers to a type of evergreen tree belonging to the genus Taxus, primarily found in Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Specifically, it is a coniferous plant from the family Taxaceae. The yew tree typically features dark green, needle-like leaves and produces small, reddish berries. It is known for its longevity and can grow to considerable height, reaching up to 20 meters (65 feet).

    The yew tree holds historical significance and cultural associations in various societies. It has been revered for its symbolic and spiritual qualities, often representing immortality, resilience, and protection. However, despite its striking appearance and rich symbolism, the yew is notably toxic. Its foliage, bark, and seeds contain poisonous substances, including taxine, which can be harmful if ingested, particularly affecting the digestive and circulatory systems.

    Due to its inherent toxicity, the yew has found use in traditional medicine and in certain pharmaceutical preparations, such as anti-cancer drugs. Additionally, the wood of the yew tree is highly valued for its durability, fine texture, and deep reddish color, making it suitable for crafting various items ranging from furniture to archery bows.

    In summary, yew refers to a long-lived evergreen tree characterized by dark green needles, red berries, and toxic qualities. Significant in cultural and historical contexts, this tree carries symbolic associations and has been traditionally utilized for medicinal purposes and high-quality woodworking.

  2. • Relating to the yew; made of yew.
    • A large evergreen tree belonging to the coniferae.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for YEW *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for YEW

Etymology of YEW

The word "yew" is derived from the Old English word "īw" or "ēow", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "īwaz". This Proto-Germanic word eventually evolved into various forms in different Germanic languages, such as "eibe" in German, "ijf" in Dutch, and "iwa" in Old Norse. The ultimate origin of the word "yew" is believed to be from an ancient Indo-European root, with related words found in several other language families.

Similar spelling words for YEW

Plural form of YEW is YEWS

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