ARBOREAL

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does arboreal mean? 

• ARBOREAL (adjective)
  The adjective ARBOREAL has 3 senses:

1. of or relating to or formed by trees

2. inhabiting or frequenting trees

3. resembling a tree in form and branching structure

  Familiarity information: ARBOREAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ARBOREAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or formed by trees

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

arborary; arboreal; arborical; arborous

Context example:

an arborous roof

Pertainym:

tree (a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms)

Derivation:

arbor (tree (as opposed to shrub))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Inhabiting or frequenting trees

Synonyms:

arboreal; arboreous; tree-living

Context example:

arboreal apes

Antonym:

nonarboreal (not inhabiting or frequenting trees)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Resembling a tree in form and branching structure

Synonyms:

arboreal; arboreous; arborescent; arboresque; arboriform; dendriform; dendroid; dendroidal; tree-shaped; treelike

Context example:

dendriform sponges

Similar:

branchy (having many branches)

Derivation:

arbor (a framework that supports climbing plants)

arbor (tree (as opposed to shrub))

 Context examples 

This is a whiskered and colorless type, the latter characteristic pointing to the fact that he spends his days in arboreal seclusion.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But the slow-motion lifestyle of tree sloths, according to a new study, is a direct result of the animals' adaptation to their arboreal niche.

(Putting the sloth in sloths: Arboreal lifestyle drives slow pace, NSF)