whitebeam
(ˈhwaɪtbiːm)
Also white beam, white-beam.
[Of uncertain origin. Perhaps an alteration of whitten on the analogy of quicken and quickbeam.]
A small tree, Pyrus Aria, having large leaves with white silky hairs on the under side. Also whitebeam-tree (incorrectly white beam-tree: see beam-tree).
| 1705 S. Dale Pharmacol. Suppl., Index, The White-Beam-Tree, Aria. 1770 Phil. Trans. LXI. 388 Of all soils this is the most favourable to beech, white-beam, [etc.]. 1800 [see beam-tree]. 1902 C. J. Cornish Natur. in Thames 152 The hawfinch is seen..picking up white-beam kernels. |