Pollard

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpÉ’l.É™d/
• US IPA: /ˈpÉ‘.lÉšd/

Origin

From Middle English polle ("hair of the head"), (recorded in English since c.1290), from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch pol ("head, top"); the verb is from the noun.

Full definition of pollard

Noun

1. (often attributive) A tree that has been pruned by cutting its branches back close to the trunk to promote a more bushy growth of foliage.
• 1869, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, , ,Only a little pollard hedge kept us from their blood-shot eyes.
2. An animal, such as cattle or deer, whose horns have been removed or shed.
3. The chub (fish), Leuciscus cephalus.
4. (obsolete) A mixture of bran and meal.
5. A clipped or counterfeit coin.

Verb

1. (horticulture) To prune a tree heavily, cutting branches back to the trunk, so that it produces dense new growth.
• 1910, Edward Morgan Forster, , Chapter 11,I didn't know one could pollard elms. I thought one only pollarded willows.