yew /juː/noun 7adjective 1forms 1phrases 1 noun7 •A species of coniferous tree, Taxus baccata, with dark-green flat needle-like leaves and seeds bearing red arils, native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia.Old Yew, which graspest at the stones That name the under-lying dead, Thy fibres net the dreamless head, Thy roots are wrapt about the bones. — 1850 •Any tree or shrub of the genus Taxus. •The wood of such trees.English soldiers handled sturdy bows of yew, ash, or elm, which could propel an iron-tipped arrow as far as a hundred yards. — 1999 •A bow for archery, made of yew wood. •Other conifers resembling plants in genus Taxus. •in family Podocarpaceae. •in family Cephalotaxaceae. adjective1 •Made from the wood of the yew tree. formsyews Phrases with yew hold yew hardWait for a moment. Be patient.
