nounPlural tupelos ˈt(j)uːpɪləʊˈt(y)o͞opəˌlō
A North American or Asian tree of damp and swampy habitats, which yields useful timber.
Genus Nyssa, family Nyssaceae: several species, in particular N. sylvatica (also called pepperidge)
Example sentencesExamples
- Frame-by-frame analyses show a bird perched on a tupelo trunk, with a distinctive white pattern on its back.
- From within I could see tupelo and buckthorn budding,
- If rhododendrons thrive on your soil, plant the Pagoda Bush or the Chinese tupelo.
- The champion tupelos have immense, gnarled bulbous bases - each with hollow sections.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from Creek, from ito 'tree' + opilwa 'swamp'.
proper nounˈt(j)uːpələʊˈt(y)o͞opəˌlō
A city in north-eastern Mississippi; population 36,233 (est. 2008). The site of some Civil War battles, it is also the birthplace of Elvis Presley.