Definition of timber

The word "timber" has an interesting origin that dates back to the old English language. It comes from the Old French word "bois" which means "wood." The French changed the pronunciation of the word to "boomer" or "boomere" in medieval times, which eventually evolved into the word "timbor" in Middle English. In Middle English, "timber" was used to mean large pieces of wood that were cut and crafted for building purposes. The word "imber" was also used interchangeably with "timber" during this time. "Imber" was the old English word for "elm tree," and it was commonly used to describe large beams that were made from elm wood. Over time, the meaning of "timber" expanded to include any type of large, upright piece of wood that could be used for building purposes, regardless of the type of tree it came from. Interestingly, the word "timber" has other meanings as well, particularly in hunting and forestry contexts. In hunting, "timber" is used to describe an area with thick vegetation, making it difficult to see through. In forestry, "timber" is used to describe the total inventory of trees that can be harvested in a given area. Overall, the word "timber" has a rich history rooted in the French and English languages, and it continues to be a commonly used word today in the fields of construction, forestry, and hunting.