barrel cactus
1
6.8
- noun
- /ˈbærəl ˈkæktəs/
- US
:
cactus barril
- Many desert dwellers rely on the barrel cactus for shade and as a source of hydration.
- golden barrel cactus
Examples
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During our hike in the desert, we spotted a vibrant barrel cactus surrounded by sand.
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And I didn't show you Kevin, but I'm, I'm propagating barrel cactuses from seed.
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The barrel cactus is known for its distinctive, round shape and sharp spines.
Synonyms
69
1.8
A plant with thick stems that store water and sharp points, often in dry places
How Spiny
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase denotes a cactus that is shaped like a barrel, which is directly derivable from combining 'barrel' (a hollow bulging cylinder) and 'cactus' (a spiny succulent plant). This simple descriptive compound follows regular noun + noun composition and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand the meaning.
Etymology
Barrel cactus gets its name from the plant's round, ribbed look: it is shaped like a wooden barrel and is a spiny cactus. That's why the name means 'a large, round cactus that stores water in the desert'.