Yew

(yū), n. [O. Eng. ew, A-S. eów, ēow, Fries. īf, D. ijf, O. H. Ger. īwa, igo, M. H. Ger. iwe, N. H. Ger. eibe, Dan. ive, Sw. id, Ir. iubhar, Gael. iubhar, iughlar, W. yw, ywen, L. Lat. ivus, Sp. & Pg. iva, Fr. if. Cf. EUGH.] (Bot.) An evergreen tree of the genus Taxus, allied to the pines, valued for its wood or timber. The yew frequently occurs in British church-yards.

☞ The American yew (Taxus baccata, variety Canadensis) is a low and straggling or prostrate bush, never forming an ascending trunk. Gray.