bilsted

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɪlstəd/

Noun

bilsted (plural bilsteds)

1. The sweet gum.
   • 1892 August, Samuel Lockwood, “Why the Mocking Birds Left New Jersey—A Geological Reason”, in The American Naturalist:

     There were scrub oaks, pines, persimmons and a group of bilsteds, or gum trees.

   • 1896, Geological Survey of New Jersey, Annual Report of the State Geologist for the year 1894, page 260:

     Willow oak and bilsted are plentiful in Cape May and Atlantic counties .

   • 1916 December, Harold Donaldson Eberlein, Abbot McClure, “Mahogany”, in Suburban Life, the Countryside Magazine, page 278:

     In general appearance it resembled mahogany, being but slightly lighter in color and grain, and many old bilsted pieces are commonly mistaken for mahogany.

   • 1966, Antiques - Volume 89, page 498:

     The primary wood is bilsted (gum wood), and was often used by the Dutch craftsmen of early New York.