fir

Everyday

1. A tall evergreen tree with flat needles and upright cones; many are used as Christmas trees. tree →
2. The wood of this tree. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons, firs are conifers: they keep their needles in winter and have cones. In everyday life, fir trees are popular Christmas trees and their wood is used for building. Phrases: «fir tree», «fir cone», «Douglas fir».

Examples

• We decorated a fir tree for Christmas. tree →
• Fir trees stay green all winter. tree →
• The forest smelled of fir and pine. tree →
• Squirrels nibbled seeds from the fir cones. tree →
• The cabin was built from fir wood. tree →
• A fir's needles are soft and flat. tree →
• They had the scent of fir-trees. tree →

Note

Countable. Homophone trap: «fir» (tree) sounds the same as «fur» (animal hair). Many trees called «pine» or «spruce» look like firs; fir cones stand upright on branches and fall apart there.

In Jewish tradition

In science and nature lessons, firs are conifers: they keep their needles in winter and have cones. In everyday life, fir trees are popular Christmas trees and their wood is used for building. Phrases: «fir tree», «fir cone», «Douglas fir».

Examples

• Wherein the birds make their nests; as for the stork, the fir-trees are her house. (Writings PSA.104.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Homophone trap: «fir» (tree) sounds the same as «fur» (animal hair). Many trees called «pine» or «spruce» look like firs; fir cones stand upright on branches and fall apart there.