Ma·hog·a·ny, Ma·hog·a·ny tree n.
 1. Bot. A large tree of the genus Swietenia (Swietenia Mahogoni), found in tropical America.
 Note: ☞ Several other trees, with wood more or less like mahogany, are called by this name; as, African mahogany (Khaya Senegalensis), Australian mahogany (Eucalyptus marginatus), Bastard mahogany (Batonia apetala of the West Indies), Indian mahogany (Cedrela Toona of Bengal, and trees of the genera Soymida and Chukrassia), Madeira mahogany (Persea Indica), Mountain mahogany, the black or cherry birch (Betula lenta), also the several species of Cercocarpus of California and the Rocky Mountains.
 2. The wood of the Swietenia Mahogoni. It is of a reddish brown color, beautifully veined, very hard, and susceptible of a fine polish. It is used in the manufacture of furniture.
 3. A table made of mahogany wood. [Colloq.]
 To be under the mahogany, to be so drunk as to have fallen under the table. [Eng.]
 To put one's legs under some one's mahogany, to dine with him. [Slang]

 ◄ ►


 Birch n.; pl. Birches
 1. A tree of several species, constituting the genus Betula; as, the white or common birch (Betula alba) (also called silver birch and lady birch); the dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa); the paper or canoe birch (Betula papyracea); the yellow birch (Betula lutea); the black or cherry birch (Betula lenta).
 2. The wood or timber of the birch.
 3. A birch twig or birch twigs, used for flogging.
 Note: ☞ The twigs of the common European birch (B. alba), being tough and slender, were formerly much used for rods in schools. They were also made into brooms.
    The threatening twigs of birch.   --Shak.
 4. A birch-bark canoe.
 Birch of Jamaica, a species (Bursera gummifera) of turpentine tree.
 Birch partridge. Zool. See Ruffed grouse.
 Birch wine, wine made of the spring sap of the birch.
 Oil of birch. (a) An oil obtained from the bark of the common European birch (Betula alba), and used in the preparation of genuine (and sometimes of the imitation) Russia leather, to which it gives its peculiar odor. (b) An oil prepared from the black birch (Betula lenta), said to be identical with the oil of wintergreen, for which it is largely sold.


 Betula lenta
      n : common birch of the eastern United States having spicy brown
          bark yielding a volatile oil and hard dark wood used for
          furniture [syn: sweet birch, cherry birch, {black
          birch]