red els, noun phrase

Forms:
Also red else.
Origin:
South African Dutch, AfrikaansShow more Partial translation of South African Dutch roode els, later Afrikaans rooi-els.
obs.
rooi-els.
1833 S. Afr. Almanac & Dir. 195The other woods most in request, and found in Albany, are — Red and White Milk, Red and White Else, [etc.].
1837 J.E. Alexander Narr. of Voy. I. 347Dutch wheels are made of three or four kinds of wood: namely, for the nave, yellow wood; for the spokes, assegai; and for the felloe, red els, or white pear.
1843 R. Godlonton in J.C. Chase Cape of G.H. 48The Cape mahogany, or stinkwood, is not found in Albany, but it produces several others, such as sneezewood, saffron, red-els, &c., which, when seasoned, are found to be excellent substitutes.
1880 S.W. Silver & Co.’s Handbk to S. Afr. 135Red Els..resembles red birch; is used for farm and waggon building purposes.
1907 T.R. Sim Forests & Forest Flora 217Red Alder or Red Els.
1934 Star 17 Mar. (Swart)Next in favour for furniture are yellow-wood and red and white Els.
1936 E. Rosenthal Old-Time Survivals 11Red pear, red els, white pear, and scores of other precious African timbers go to the making of the numerous characteristically-named sections of the conveyance.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

18331936

Browse Related Words

By Category

Trees

By Origin

Afrikaans

By Usage

obsolete or obsolescent
red cat, noun phrasen. phr.red grass, noun phrasen. phr.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Unit for South African English