arbor vitae noun phr. [,ɑ:bǝ 'vʌɪti:, 'vi:tʌɪ] Also (esp. in sense 1) arborvitae. Pl. same. E17.
[Latin = tree of life.]
1. Any of a number of N. American or Far Eastern evergreen conifers, belonging chiefly to the genus Thuja. E17.
oil of arbor vitae = oil of thuja s.v. THUJA.

2. Anatomy. The arborescent appearance of the white matter in a sagittal section of the cerebellum. Also called tree of life. E19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲