forest

Everyday

1. A forest is a large area of land covered thickly with trees and plants. tree →
2. A forest of something is a large number of tall things close together: a forest of hands. tree →

In the lessons

In science and geography: forests are habitats for many animals, give oxygen, store carbon and hold soil; types include rainforest (hot, wet, near the equator), deciduous forest (trees lose leaves in autumn) and coniferous forest (evergreens). In safety: stay on the paths, tell an adult where you go, never light fires in a dry forest. In fairy tales, the dark forest is often a place of danger and adventure. Phrases: rainforest, forest fire, deep in the forest.

Examples

• We walked through the forest on a path. tree →
• The Amazon is the largest rainforest. tree →
• Many animals live in the forest. tree →
• A forest fire can spread very fast. tree →
• Hansel and Gretel got lost in the forest. tree →
• Trees in the forest lose their leaves in autumn. tree →
• Cutting down forests harms wildlife. tree →
• A forest of hands went up when the teacher asked a question. tree →

Note

Countable. A forest is bigger and wilder than a wood or woods. «Rainforest» is one word. Forests are not empty: they are full of life, from fungi to birds.

In Jewish tradition

A forest is a wooded wild area where lions and other beasts live and where honey could be found. The psalm says every beast of the forest belongs to God.

Interpretation. The tradition reads God's ownership of the forest beasts as a sign that all nature is His. The prophets use the forest and its roaring lion as a picture of danger and of God's warning.

Examples

• Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? (Prophets AMO.3.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• And all the people came into the forest; and there was honey upon the ground. (Prophets 1SA.14.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. (Writings PSA.50.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. A forest is bigger and wilder than a wood or woods. «Rainforest» is one word. Forests are not empty: they are full of life, from fungi to birds.