Beech \Beech\, n.; pl. {Beeches}. [OE. beche, AS. b?ce; akin to
D. beuk, OHG. buocha, G. buche, Icel. beyki, Dan. b["o]g, Sw.
bok, Russ. buk, L. fagus, Gr. ? oak, ? to eat, Skr. bhaksh;
the tree being named originally from the esculent fruit. See
{Book}, and cf. 7th {Buck}, {Buckwheat}.] (Bot.)
A tree of the genus {Fagus}.

Note: It grows to a large size, having a smooth bark and
thick foliage, and bears an edible triangular nut, of
which swine are fond. The {Fagus sylvatica} is the
European species, and the {Fagus ferruginea} that of
America.

{Beech drops} (Bot.), a parasitic plant which grows on the
roots of beeches ({Epiphegus Americana}).

{Beech marten} (Zo["o]l.), the stone marten of Europe
({Mustela foina}).

{Beech mast}, the nuts of the beech, esp. as they lie under
the trees, in autumn.

{Beech oil}, oil expressed from the mast or nuts of the beech
tree.

{Cooper beech}, a variety of the European beech with
copper-colored, shining leaves.