shrubbery
UK: ˈʃrʌbəri | US: ˈʃrʌbəri
n. a collection or growth of shrubs (low woody plants)
n. an area planted with shrubs for decorative or functional purposes
shrubbery = shrub<woody plant> + ery<collective noun suffix>
- shrub: From Old English scrybb (a shrub, brushwood), related to Scandinavian skrubba (dwarf tree).
- ery: A suffix forming nouns denoting a place, collection, or state (e.g., bakery, machinery).
Etymology Origin:
The word shrubbery emerged in the late 16th century, combining shrub (a small woody plant) with the suffix -ery, which denotes a group or place associated with the root word. This reflects the transition from describing individual plants to cultivated groupings in gardens or landscapes. The term gained literary fame through its humorous use in Monty Python’s "Holy Grail" ("The Knights Who Say Ni demand a shrubbery!").
The castle’s grounds were adorned with a lush shrubbery.
She pruned the shrubbery to maintain its neat appearance.
A winding path led through the fragrant shrubbery.
The garden design featured a mix of flowers and shrubbery.
They hid behind the dense shrubbery to surprise their friends.