Mahogany

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Mahogany \Ma*hog"a*ny\, Mahogany tree \Ma*hog"a*ny tree`\, n.
     [From the South American name.]
     1. (Bot.) A large tree of the genus {Swietenia} ({Swietenia
        Mahogoni}), found in tropical America.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     Note: Several other trees, with wood more or less like
           mahogany, are called by this name; as, African mahogany
           ({Khaya Senegalensis}), Australian mahogany
           ({Eucalyptus marginatus}), Bastard mahogany ({Batonia
           apetala} of the West Indies), Indian mahogany ({Cedrela
           Toona} of Bengal, and trees of the genera {Soymida} and
           {Chukrassia}), Madeira mahogany ({Persea Indica}),
           Mountain mahogany, the black or cherry birch ({Betula
           lenta}), also the several species of {Cercocarpus} of
           California and the Rocky Mountains.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The wood of the {Swietenia Mahogoni}. It is of a reddish
        brown color, beautifully veined, very hard, and
        susceptible of a fine polish. It is used in the
        manufacture of furniture.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A table made of mahogany wood. [Colloq.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {To be under the mahogany}, to be so drunk as to have fallen
        under the table. [Eng.]
  
     {To put one's legs under some one's mahogany}, to dine with
        him. [Slang]
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  mahogany
       n 1: wood of any of various mahogany trees; much used for
            cabinetwork and furniture
       2: any of various tropical timber trees of the family Meliaceae
          especially the genus Swietinia valued for their hard
          yellowish- to reddish-brown wood that is readily worked
          and takes a high polish [syn: {mahogany tree}]