ash-key

noun

Meaning

A winged seed characteristic of the ash tree, consisting of a single seed encased in a flat, papery structure that allows it to spin like a helicopter when it falls.

Examples

  • The ground beneath the old ash tree was carpeted with thousands of fallen ash-keys.
  • Children often collect ash-keys in the fall to toss them into the air and watch them spiral to the ground.

Synonyms: samara, winged seed