Indian bean
- noun
- US
:
frijol indio
- The Indian bean blossoms in late spring with clusters of fragrant white flowers.
Examples
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The long seed pods hanging from the Indian bean tree are a distinctive feature in autumn.
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The Indian bean tree can grow up to 50 feet tall.
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Gardeners appreciate the shade provided by the broad leaves of the Indian bean.
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Have you ever seen an Indian bean in bloom?
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The long seed pods hanging from the Indian bean tree are a distinctive feature in autumn.
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Gardeners appreciate the shade provided by the broad leaves of the Indian bean.
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The Indian bean blossoms in late spring with clusters of fragrant white flowers.
Synonyms
A tree with large heart-shaped leaves, white flowers, and long thin seed pods
A tree that has long seed pods that look like beans and showy flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a straightforward noun compound formed from 'Indian' + 'bean' where the meaning is a bean (or bean plant) associated with India or described as 'Indian'; a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer it refers to a type or variety of bean/bean plant. While a learner may not know the specific species name (Lablab purpureus) or regional naming nuances, the basic referent is compositionally transparent and follows common cross-linguistic noun+modifier patterns.
Etymology
The Indian bean name may come from the tree's long, bean-like pods that hang down like big beans, and from early European settlers who called local people 'Indians'. So the name helps you remember a tree with large leaves and long seed pods.
