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Glite Dictionary
Ochroma lagopus

Ochroma lagopus

9.9
A tropical tree with very light, strong wood used for making rafts and models
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : balsa
  • The wood of the Ochroma lagopus is prized for its use in model-making due to its lightness.

Examples

  • Rafts constructed from Ochroma lagopus wood were used by indigenous peoples for centuries.

  • Many artisans use Ochroma lagopus wood for crafting.

  • Ochroma lagopus is cultivated in plantations for commercial balsa wood production.

  • The Ochroma lagopus tree grows in tropical rainforests.

  • Ochroma lagopus wood is commonly used to create lightweight floats for fishing and other water activities.

  • Indigenous peoples have relied on Ochroma lagopus for making rafts and canoes due to its buoyant properties.

  • Craftsmen often choose Ochroma lagopus for model-building because its strong yet light wood is easy to work with.

Synonyms

balsa
vsOchroma lagopus
  • US
1 5.8

A tropical tree with very light wood used to make models and rafts

is stronger and used for floats and sturdy craft work

Surface Forms

Ochroma lagopus singular
Ochroma lagopuses plural

Morphology

Ochroma + lagopus

This is a scientific Latin binomial (genus + species) functioning as an arbitrary taxonomic label rather than a compositional phrase; a B1 learner who knows the individual tokens would not be able to derive the specific meaning 'a tropical tree with very light wood.' The second element 'lagopus' is not a common English word (and is listed as not found), so the overall meaning requires specialized botanical knowledge, making it unpredictable from the parts.

Etymology

Ochroma lagopus is known for wood so light it floats on water. Because people used that wood to make 'rafts', 'floats', and models, the name helps us remember it refers to a tree with very light, strong wood.