Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Elm?

\Elm\, n. [AS. elm; akin to D. olm, OHG. elm, G. ulme, Icel. almr, Dan. & Sw. alm, L. ulmus, and E. alder. Cf. {Old}.] (Bot.) A tree of the genus {Ulmus}, of several species, much used as a shade tree, particularly in America. The English elm is {Ulmus campestris}; the common American or white elm is {U. Americana}; the slippery or red elm, {U. fulva}. {Elm beetle} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of beetles (esp. {Galeruca calmariensis}), which feed on the leaves of the elm. {Elm borer} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of beetles of which the larv[ae] bore into the wood or under the bark of the elm (esp. {Saperda tridentata}). {Elm butterfly} (Zo["o]l.), one of several species of butterflies, which, in the caterpillar state, feed on the leaves of the elm (esp. {Vanessa antiopa} and {Grapta comma}). See {Comma butterfly}, under {Comma}. {Elm moth} (Zo["o]l.), one of numerous species of moths of which the larv[ae] destroy the leaves of the elm (esp. {Eugonia subsignaria}, called elm spanworm). {Elm sawfly} (Zo["o]l.), a large sawfly ({Cimbex Americana}). The larva, which is white with a black dorsal stripe, feeds on the leaves of the elm.