Chinese parasol
- noun
- /ˈtʃaɪniːz ˈpærəˌsɒl/
- Specialized
:
paraguas chino
- The distinct leaflike pods of the Chinese parasol make it easy to recognize in the fall.
Examples
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The Chinese parasol tree is known for its beautiful foliage.
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The Chinese parasol adds a splash of green to many Southern gardens.
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A row of Chinese parasol trees lined the avenue, their broad leaves providing welcome shade.
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The distinct leaflike pods of the Chinese parasol make it easy to recognize in the fall.
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Have you ever seen a Chinese parasol in bloom?
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A row of Chinese parasol trees lined the avenue, their broad leaves providing welcome shade.
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The Chinese parasol adds a splash of green to many Southern gardens.
Synonyms
A tree from Asia with large maple-like leaves, yellow-green flower clusters, and seed pods that look like leaves
A tree that loses its leaves each year with maple-like leaves, long strings of yellow-green flowers, and leaflike pods
A tree with leaves like a maple, long yellow-green flower clusters and pods that look like leaves
Surface Forms
Morphology
Chinese + parasol
Although 'parasol' literally means a sun umbrella and 'Chinese' indicates origin, the name 'Chinese parasol' as a plant is a lexicalized common name where 'parasol' metaphorically refers to umbrella-like foliage. A B1 learner who only knows the constituent words would likely guess an object (a parasol) from China rather than a specific deciduous tree, so the connection is partial but not fully predictable.
Etymology
Chinese parasol gets its name from its broad, umbrella-like leaves. The word parasol means a small 'umbrella' for the sun, and because the wide leaves look like one and give lots of shade, that's why the name fits.
