joshua tree
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
The Yucca brevifolia, a spiky- leaved tree growing in the desert areas of the south-western regions of the U.S.A. and in Mexico.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “joshua tree” mean?
The Yucca brevifolia, a spiky- leaved tree growing in the desert areas of the south-western regions of the U.S.A. and in Mexico.
Is “joshua tree” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.