The plural of evergreen; plants like pine trees, holly, and fir that keep their leaves or needles all year long.
From Old English 'ever' (always) plus 'green.' The compound emerged in the 1600s to describe plants that remain verdant through all seasons, distinguishing them from deciduous trees that lose leaves.
Evergreens were named by people who lived through harsh winters and saw them as symbols of eternal life and hope—this is why they became centerpieces of winter holidays across multiple religions and cultures worldwide.
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