Word Study
Alder
CIDE DICTIONARY
Alder, n. [OE. aldir, aller, fr. AS. alr, aler, alor, akin to D. els, G. erle, Icel. erlir, erli, Swed. al, Dan. elle, el, L. alnus, and E. elm.].
A tree, usually growing in moist land, and belonging to the genus Alnus . The wood is used by turners, etc.; the bark by dyers and tanners. In the U. S. the species of alder are usually shrubs or small trees. [1913 Webster]
Alder, a. [From ealra, alra, gen. pl. of AS. eal. The d is excrescent.].
Of all; -- used in composition; as, alderbest, best of all, alderwisest, wisest of all. Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Alder, n. any tree of the genus Alnus, related to the birch, with catkins and toothed leaves.
Idiom
alder buckthorn a shrub, Frangula alnus, related to the buckthorn.
Etymology
OE alor, aler, rel. to L alnus, with euphonic d
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