hazel

hazel, any plant of the genus Corylus of the family Betulaceae (birch family), shrubs or small trees with foliage similar to the related alders. They are often cultivated for ornament and for the edible nuts. Hazels are also called filberts, although the latter is more strictly a name for European kinds (C. maxima, C. avellena, and their varieties, e.g., the cobnut) that are cultivated, chiefly in Europe, for the filbert of commerce. Nuts of the American hazel (C. americana) are often gathered but seldom sold. Winter hazel and witch hazel are not related to hazel. Hazel is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Fagales, family Betulaceae.

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filbert

 or hazel(nut)

Any of about 15 species of deciduous trees and shrubs that make up the genus Corylus, in the birch family, native to the northern temperate zone; also, the edible nuts they produce. Choice nuts are produced by two Eurasian trees, the European filbert (C. avellana) and the giant filbert (C. maxima), and by hybrids of these species. Some varieties are valuable hedgerow and ornamental trees. An oil from C. avellana is used in food products, perfumes, and soaps; the tree yields a soft, reddish-white timber that is useful for small articles such as tool handles and walking sticks.

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hazel

1. any of several shrubs of the N temperate genus Corylus, esp C. avellana, having oval serrated leaves and edible rounded brown nuts: family Corylaceae

2. the wood of any of these trees

3. short for hazelnut

4. 

a. a light yellowish-brown colour

b. (as adjective): hazel eyes

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Hazel

meddling maid in the Baxter house. [TV and Comics: Terrace, I, 343]

See : Servant