Definition of pine

The word "pine" has a long and varied history. The modern English word "pine" comes from the Old English word "pinea", which referred to the pine tree. This Old English word was derived from the Latin "pinus", which also meant pine tree. The Latin "pinus" is thought to be imitative of the sound of the pinecone cracking open to release its seeds. The Latin "pinus" was also used to describe the pine tree's soft, resinous wood, which was highly valued for making jewelry, pottery, and other decorative items. Over time, the spelling of the word changed from "pinea" to "pine", and its meaning expanded to include the idea of long-lasting sadness or grief (as in "pine away"). Despite these changes, the word "pine" has retained its connection to the pine tree, and is still commonly used to refer to the tree and its products.