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espalier

Syllabification: (es·pal·ier)
Pronunciation: /iˈspalyər, -yā/
Definition of espalier

noun

  • a fruit tree or ornamental shrub whose branches are trained to grow flat against a wall, supported on a lattice or a framework of stakes.
  • a lattice or framework for an espaliered tree or shrub.

verb

[with object]
  • train (a tree or shrub) to grow flat against a wall.

Origin:

mid 17th century: from French, from Italian spalliera, from spalla 'shoulder', from Latin spatula (see spatula), in late Latin 'shoulder blade'

espalier in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of espalier in the British & World English dictionary

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