- Betula lenta
- 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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.