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pine

1. (Science: botany) Any tree of the coniferous genus pinus. See Pinus.

There are about twenty-eight species in the united states, of which the white pine (P. Strobus), the Georgia pine (P. Australis), the red pine (P. Resinosa), and the great west Coast sugar pine (P. Lambertiana) are among the most valuable. The Scotch pine or fir, also called Norway or Riga pine (pinus sylvestris), is the only British species. The nut pine is any pine tree, or species of pine, which bears large edible seeds. See pinon. The spruces, firs, larches, and true cedars, though formerly considered pines, are now commonly assigned to other genera.

2. The wood of the pine tree.

3. A pineapple. Ground pine.

(Science: botany) Any one of numerous species of weevils whose larvae bore in the wood of pine trees. Several species are known in both Europe and America, belonging to the genera Pissodes, Hylobius, etc. Pine wool, a fibre obtained from pine needles by steaming them. It is prepared on a large scale in some of the southern united states, and has many uses in the economic arts.

Synonym: pine-needle wool, and pine-wood wool.

Origin: AS. Pin, L. Pinus.