topiary
noun
- horticulture practice
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈtəʊpjəɹi/ / /ˈtoʊpiˌɛəɹi/
adj
Etymology: From Latin topiarius (“of or relating to ornamental gardening; an ornamental garden, an ornamental gardener”), from Latin topia (“ornamental gardening, landscape painting”), from Ancient Greek τόπια (tópia, “artistic representation in which natural or artificial features of a place are used as the medium”), plural of Ancient Greek τόπιον (tópion, “field, landscape”), from τόπος (tópos, “place”). The adjective use dates to 1592, the noun use dates to 1908.
- Of, or relating to art of topiaries.
“As the topiary art has been allowed to practically die out, it is difficult to secure the services of skilled clippers.”
- Of a tree or shrub, trimmed in artistic shape.
noun
Etymology: From Latin topiarius (“of or relating to ornamental gardening; an ornamental garden, an ornamental gardener”), from Latin topia (“ornamental gardening, landscape painting”), from Ancient Greek τόπια (tópia, “artistic representation in which natural or artificial features of a place are used as the medium”), plural of Ancient Greek τόπιον (tópion, “field, landscape”), from τόπος (tópos, “place”). The adjective use dates to 1592, the noun use dates to 1908.
- Art or practice of trimming shrubs or trees in artistic or ornamental shapes, e.g. of animals.
“The palace garden might have had a semblance of coolness had there been any trees, but the tallest things were fanciful topiary, tortured into the shapes of running horses or bears performing tumblers’ tricks or the like.”
- A garden decorated with such art.
- One such shrub or tree.
“We have topiaries for sale.”