Also white beam, white-beam. [Of uncertain origin. Perhaps an alteration of WHITTEN on the analogy of quicken and quickbeam.] A small tree, Pyrus Aria, having large leaves with white silky hairs on the under side. Also whitebeam-tree (incorrectly white beam-tree: see BEAM-TREE).

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1705.  S. Dale, Pharmacol., Suppl., Index, The White-Beam-Tree, Aria.

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1770.  Phil. Trans., LXI. 388. Of all soils this is the most favourable to beech, white-beam, [etc.].

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1800.  [see BEAM-TREE].

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1902.  C. J. Cornish, Natur. on Thames, 152. The hawfinch is seen … picking up white-beam kernels.

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