lignum vitae meaning and definition

LIGNUM VITAE noun

Definition of lignum vitae (noun)

1. hard greenish-brown wood of the lignum vitae tree and other trees of the genus Guaiacum
   • synonyms: guaiac, guaiacum
2. small evergreen tree of Caribbean and southern Central America to northern South America; a source of lignum vitae wood, hardest of commercial timbers, and a medicinal resin
   • synonyms: Guaiacum officinale