primavera

primavera¹

/pree'meuh vair"euh/, n.

1. a central American tree, Cybistax donnell-smithii, of the bignonia family, having showy, tubular yellow flowers.

2. Also called white mahogany. the hard, yellowish-white wood of this tree, used for making furniture.

[1890-95; < Sp: lit., spring; so called from its early flowering; see PRIMAVERAL]

primavera²

/pree'meuh vair"euh/; It. /prddee'mah ve"rddah/, adj. Italian Cookery.

prepared with a variety of chopped or minced vegetables: pasta primavera.

[appar. ellipsis from It alla primavera in the style of springtime; see PRIMAVERAL]

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▪ tree

      (species Cybistax donnel-smithii), timber tree of Central America with brilliant yellow flowers, or its firm light wood, often called white mahogany. Although the tree is unrelated to true mahogany, the wood resembles it in being easy to work, lustrous, and free of tendency to warp. When first cut, it is a pale yellow; upon exposure to air and light it darkens to a yellowish rose with streaks of red, orange, and brown. Primavera is used, either in thin lumber or veneer form, for special effects in paneling and cabinetmaking.

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