Ma*hog"a*ny (?), n. [From the South
American name.] 1. (Bot.) A large tree of
the genus Swietenia (S. Mahogoni), found in tropical
America.
&fist; Several other trees, with wood more or less like mahogany,
are called by this name; as, African mahogany (Khaya
Senegalensis), Australian mahogany (Eucalyptus
marginatus), Bastard mahogany (Batonia apetala of the West
Indies), Indian mahogany (Cedrela Toona of Bengal, and trees
of the genera Soymida and Chukrassia), Madeira mahogany
(Persea Indica), Mountain mahogany, the black or cherry birch
(Betula lenta), also the several species of Cercocarpus
of California and the Rocky Mountains.
2. The wood of the Swietenia Mahogoni.
It is of a reddish brown color, beautifully veined, very hard, and
susceptible of a fine polish. It is used in the manufacture of
furniture.
3. A table made of mahogany wood.
[Colloq.]
To be under the mahogany, to be so drunk as
to have fallen under the table. [Eng.] -- To put one's
legs under some one's mahogany, to dine with him.
[Slang]
