ligneous
UK: ˈlɪɡniəs | US: ˈlɪɡniəs
adj. resembling or consisting of wood; woody in texture or appearance.
ligneous = lign<wood> + eous<adjective suffix>
- lign<wood>: Derived from Latin lignum (wood), reflecting the material’s properties.
- eous<adjective suffix>: A Latin-derived suffix meaning "composed of" or "resembling," often used in scientific terms.
Etymology Origin:
The word ligneous traces back to Latin ligneus (wooden), from lignum (wood). It entered English in the 17th century, primarily in botanical and anatomical contexts to describe woody tissues or structures. The morpheme lign- persists in related terms like lignin (a woody plant polymer) and lignite (a type of coal), showcasing its consistent tie to wood-like qualities.
The fossil had a ligneous texture, preserved perfectly over millennia.
Botanists study ligneous plants to understand their growth patterns.
The artist carved the ligneous material into intricate sculptures.
Certain fungi thrive on decomposing ligneous matter.
The table’s ligneous surface gave it a rustic charm.