Literary notes about alder (AI summary)
The word "alder" has been used in various literary contexts, ranging from concrete botanical reference to rich metaphorical imagery. In botanical and naturalistic descriptions, as seen in the writings of Lewis and Clark ([1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]), "alder" serves to evoke the character of landscapes and the endurance of nature, often alongside other tree species. Its scientific usage is evident in encyclopedic entries ([8], [9], [10], [11]), while creative literature and epic poetry imbue the term with symbolic and mystical significance—transforming it into an agent of magic in the Kalevala ([12], [13], [14], [15], [16]) or an evocative element in the reflective musings of Thoreau ([17]). Even playful adjectival coinages and proverbial expressions ([18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23]) demonstrate the versatility of the word, merging the literal and abstract to enhance both narrative landscapes and linguistic inventiveness.
- The stem of the black alder of this country before mentioned as arriving to great size, is simply branching and defuse.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - we were obliged to make use of the willow and box alder, the cottonwood being too soft and brittle.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - there is now no timber on the hills, an only a few scattering cottonwood, ash, box Alder and willows to be seen along the river.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - the leaf is procisely that of the Common alder of the United States or Virginia.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - the river bottoms through which I passed about seven miles were fertil and well covered with Cottonwood some Box alder, ash and red Elm.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - there is Box alder, red willow and a species of sumac here also.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - there is some timber in it's bottom lands, which consists of Cottonwood red Elm, with a small proportion of small Ash and box alder.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - Al′nus. See Alder .
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide by Various - Common Alder ( Alnus glutinosa )
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide by Various - Alder (a ¨ l′dėr; Alnus), a genus of plants of the sub-ord.
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide by Various - The mountain forests are composed of birch, alder, aspen, fir, larch, stone-pine, &c.
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide by Various - In one hand a branch of willow, In the other, club of alder; Struck at me with might of malice, Aimed the cudgel at my forehead.
— from Kalevala : the Epic Poem of Finland — Complete - Speak the truth, O magic alder, Speak not words of man, nor hero, Hither bring but truthful measures.
— from Kalevala : the Epic Poem of Finland — Complete - Daughter of the Alder-tree.
— from Kalevala : the Epic Poem of Finland — Complete - Fast and faster flies the fleet-foot, On the curving snow-capped sea-coast, On the borders of the lowlands, O'er the alder-hills and mountains.
— from Kalevala : the Epic Poem of Finland — Complete - Thereupon the alder answered, Spake these words of truthful import: "Verily the Sun lies hidden And the golden Moon is sleeping
— from Kalevala : the Epic Poem of Finland — Complete - Sympathy with the fluttering alder and poplar leaves almost takes away my breath; yet, like the lake, my serenity is rippled but not ruffled.
— from Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau - Alder-mon , sb.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Alder-first , adj.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - V. Vaart gij dan oost, of vaarje west, eens eigen huis is alder best.
— from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs - Alder-best , adj.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Svig og Sqvalder have lang Alder.
— from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs - You must knock a long while against an alder-bush before you get a swarm of bees out of it.
— from A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs