lumber

ˈlʌm.bə

3 definitions

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#1·5h ago

(North America) Wood sawn into planks or otherwise prepared for sale or use, especially as a building material.

Origin: Exact origin unknown. The earliest recorded reference for the noun was to heavy, useless objects such as old, discarded furniture. Perhaps from the verb lumber in reference to meaning "awkward to move"; Online Etymological Dictionary [https://www.etymonline.com/word/lumber thinks] this may derive from the same root as lame. Possibly influenced by Lumbar, an obsolete variant of Lombard, the Italian immigrant class known for being pawnbrokers and money-lenders in early England. Compare. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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#2·5h ago

(now, rare) Old furniture or other items that take up room, or are stored away.

4 December 1883, Chester A. Arthur, Third State of the Union Address

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#3·5h ago

(figurative) Useless or cumbrous material.

: The resources of Alaska, especially in fur, mines, and lumber, are considerable in extent and capable of large development, while its geographical situation is one of political and commercial importance.;

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