rooi-els, noun

/ˈrɔɪ ɛls/
Forms:
Formerly also roode els, rood elze.
Origin:
South African Dutch, AfrikaansShow more South African Dutch roode (later Afrikaans rooi) red + els alder.
The evergreen timber tree Cunonia capensis of the Cunoniaceae; the red-coloured wood of this tree; red alder; red els. See also els.
1801 J. Barrow Trav. I. 339Roode els..stands water well.
[1821 C.I. Latrobe Jrnl of Visit 559Roth-els — Cunonia Capensis.]
1822 W.J. Burchell Trav. I. 143Its colonial name is Rood Elze (Red Alder), although the tree has not..the least resemblance to the Alder of Europe.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 409Roode els,..Cunonia capensis. The flowers have a strong, sweet scent.
1932 Farming in S. Afr. July 128 (Swart)Rooi Els (Cunonia capensis), It occurs as an evergreen tree up to 50 ft. in height.
1948 Cape Times 5 Aug. 8If trees must be planted, let them rather be the..rooi els and other local forest trees.
1965 A. Gordon-Brown S. Afr. Heritage II. 7Other Cape woods used in old furniture, but seldom met with or recognized were olive wood, witte els, rooi els, camphor wood and pearwood.
1971 Baraitser & Obholzer Cape Country Furn. 184Early country cupboard of stinkwood, yellowwood and rooi-els showing canted corners and shaped apron.
1974 Cape Times 28 Sept. (Suppl.) 4The indigenous woods — yellowwood, stinkwood, rooi-els, wit-els — are becoming more and more rare and costly.
1982 S. Afr. Panorama Feb. 20Using indigenous woods such as stinkwood, yellow wood, tambotie, wit els, rooi els (white and red ash), mahogany, cedarwood and blackwood..he also makes side tables, coffee tables, [etc.].
1987 J. Kench Cottage Furn. 20Other local timbers used in tables included cedar, rooi-els and wit-els.
The evergreen timber tree Cunonia capensis of the Cunoniaceae; the red-coloured wood of this tree; red alder; red els.
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Afrikaans
rooidoek, nounn.rooi gevaar, noun phrasen. phr.
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