First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1pine
noun, often attributive \ˈpīn\
: a tree that has long, thin needles instead of leaves and that stays green throughout the year
: the wood of a pine tree that is often used to make furniture
Full Definition of PINE
1
: any of a genus (Pinus of the family Pinaceae, the pine family) of coniferous evergreen trees that have slender elongated needles and include some valuable timber trees and ornamentals
2
: the straight-grained white or yellow usually durable and resinous wood of a pine varying from extreme softness in the white pine to hardness in the longleaf pine
3
: any of various Australian coniferous trees (as of the genera Callitris or Araucaria)
4
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Origin of PINE
Middle English, from Old English pīn, from Latin pinus; probably akin to Greek pitys pine
2pine
verb
: to become thin and weak because of sadness or loss
pinedpin·ing
Full Definition of PINE
intransitive verb
1
: to lose vigor, health, or flesh (as through grief) : languish
2
: to yearn intensely and persistently especially for something unattainable <they still pined for their lost wealth>
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See pine defined for kids
Origin of PINE
Middle English, from Old English pīnian to suffer, from *pīn punishment, from Latin poena — more at pain
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of PINE
long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst mean to have a strong desire for something. long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain <longed for some rest>. yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing <yearned for a stage career>. hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire <always hankering for money>. pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible <pined for a lost love>. hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need <hungered for a business of his own> <thirsted for power>.
PINE Defined for Kids
1pine
noun \ˈpīn\
Definition of PINE for Kids
: an evergreen tree that has cones, narrow needles for leaves, and a wood that ranges from very soft to hard
2pine
verb
pinedpin·ing
Definition of PINE for Kids
1
: to become thin and weak because of sadness or worry
2
: to long for very much <She pined for home.>
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