Boxwood

/ˈbɑks.wʊd/ noun

Definition

The hard, fine-grained wood from the box tree (Buxus sempervirens), valued for making fine tools, decorative items, and for wood engraving.

Etymology

Compound of 'box' (the tree, from Greek 'puxos') and 'wood' (from Old English 'wudu'), describing the timber product of the tree species.

Kelly Says

Boxwood was the gold standard for fine engraving blocks used in printing for 500+ years because its dense, even grain captured tiny details—digital printing made boxwood blocks obsolete almost overnight.

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