Al"der (#), n. [OE. aldir, aller, fr. AS. alr, aler, alor, akin to D. els, G. erle, Icel. erlir, erli, Swed. al, Dan. elle, el, L. alnus, and E. elm.] Bot.

A tree, usually growing in moist land, and belonging to the genus Alnus. The wood is used by turners, etc.; the bark by dyers and tanners. In the U. S. the species of alder are usually shrubs or small trees.

Black alder. (a) A European shrub (Rhamnus frangula); Alder buckthorn. (b) An American species of holly (Ilex verticillata), bearing red berries.

 

© Webster 1913.


Al"der (#), Al"ler (#), a. [From ealra, alra, gen. pl. of AS. eal. The d is excrescent.]

Of all; -- used in composition; as, alderbest, best of all, alderwisest, wisest of all.

[Obs.]

Chaucer.

 

© Webster 1913.