Beech, n.

n. [A-S. bece, boc, D. beuk, Icel. beyki, Dan. bög, Sw. bok, O. H. Ger. puoch, M. H. Ger. buoche, N. H. Ger. buche, Russ. buk, Lat. fagus, Gr. φηγός, Arm. fag, faw, W. ffawydd.] (Bot.) A tree of the genus Fagus.

It grows to a large size, having a smooth bark and thick foliage, and bears a triangular nut, of which swine are fond. The F. sylvatica is the European species, and the F. ferruginea that of America. London.