mulberry

Everyday

1. A tree with broad leaves and dark purple, red or white berries like long blackberries. tree →
2. The fruit of this tree. tree →
3. A dark purple-red colour. tree →

In the lessons

In history and science lessons silkworms eat only mulberry leaves, so mulberry trees were key for making silk in China. In songs «Here we go round the mulberry bush» is an old nursery rhyme. Phrases: «mulberry bush», «mulberry jam».

Examples

• Silkworms eat mulberry leaves. tree →
• The mulberries stained my fingers purple. tree →
• We sang «Here we go round the mulberry bush». tree →
• Granny makes mulberry jam. tree →
• A mulberry tree can live for hundreds of years. tree →
• Her coat is a deep mulberry colour. tree →

Note

Plural: mulberries. Countable.

In Jewish tradition

The "mulberry-trees" here may mean balsam or similar trees. David was told to wait until a sound in their tops.

Interpretation. The story is read as showing David asking God before battle and waiting for God's sign, because victory comes from the LORD.

Examples

• And when David inquired of the LORD, He said: 'Thou shalt not go up; make a circuit behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees. (Prophets 2SA.5.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• And David inquired again of God; and God said unto him: 'Thou shalt not go up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry-trees. (Writings 1CH.14.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry-trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself; for then is the LORD gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.' (Prophets 2SA.5.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural: mulberries. Countable.