资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fringe tree \Fringe tree\
   A small oleaceous tree ({Chionanthus virginica}), of the
   southern United States, having clusters of white flowers with
   slender petals. It is often cultivated.

Fringe \Fringe\, n. [OF, fringe, F. frange, prob. fr. L. fimbria
   fiber, thread, fringe, cf. fibra fiber, E. fiber, fimbriate.]
   1. An ornamental appendage to the border of a piece of stuff,
      originally consisting of the ends of the warp, projecting
      beyond the woven fabric; but more commonly made separate
      and sewed on, consisting sometimes of projecting ends,
      twisted or plaited together, and sometimes of loose
      threads of wool, silk, or linen, or narrow strips of
      leather, or the like.

   2. Something resembling in any respect a fringe; a line of
      objects along a border or edge; a border; an edging; a
      margin; a confine.

            The confines of grace and the fringes of repentance.
                                                  --Jer. Taylor.

   3. (Opt.) One of a number of light or dark bands, produced by
      the interference of light; a diffraction band; -- called
      also interference fringe.

   4. (Bot.) The peristome or fringelike appendage of the
      capsules of most mosses. See {Peristome}.

   {Fringe tree} (Bot.), a small tree ({Chionanthus Virginica}),
      growing in the Southern United States, and having
      snow-white flowers, with long pendulous petals.

资料来源 : WordNet®

fringe tree
     n : any of various small decorative flowering trees or shrubs of
         the genus Chionanthus