Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Mahogany?

\Ma*hog"a*ny\, n. [From the South American name.] 1. (Bot.) A large tree of the genus {Swietenia} ({S. 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]