any of several trees of the genus Populus having leaves on flattened stalks so that they flutter in the lightest wind
"The golden aspens danced gently as a breeze made their flat-stalked leaves ripple through the forest."
The asp tree; a kind of poplar tree (genus Populus sect. Populus). A medium-size tree with thin, straight trunks of a greenish-white color.
"The aspen stood out in the forest with its distinctive greenish-white bark and thin, straight trunk."
In plain English: An aspen is a type of tree with smooth, light-colored bark and leaves that turn bright yellow in autumn.
"The wind blew through the grove, making all the aspens dance together with their silver leaves rustling in unison."
Pertaining to the asp or aspen tree.
"The wind rustled through the leaves of the silver aspen, shaking its branches gently."
In plain English: As an adjective, aspen means made of wood from the fast-growing tree that is common on mountain slopes and often used for furniture or flooring.
"The aspens in that neighborhood are known for their very fast growth rates."
Usage: Use "aspen" only when describing something that resembles the distinctive white bark and trembling leaves of the poplar tree; avoid using it for any other type of foliage or material unless specifically comparing it to this species. Do not confuse this botanical term with unrelated words like "asp," which refers entirely to a venomous snake.
A ski-resort town, the county seat of Pitkin County, Colorado.
"Visitors flock to Aspen every winter to enjoy skiing and luxury shopping in the famous mountain resort town."
The word comes from Middle English and was formed by combining asp with the suffix -en. It originally referred to a tree known for its trembling leaves before becoming our modern term for the aspen.