hackberry
Syllabification: (hack·ber·ry)
Pronunciation: /ˈhakˌberē/
Definition of hackberry
noun ( plural hackberries)
- a tree of the elm family that has leaves resembling those of nettles, found in both tropical and temperate regions. See also nettle tree.
- Genus Celtis, family Ulmaceae: several species, in particular the North American hackberry (C. occidentalis), which bears edible purple berries and whose bark becomes ridged and covered with warty knobs
Origin:
mid 18th century: variant of northern English dialect hagberry, of Scandinavian origin