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Glite Dictionary
broad-leaved twayblade

broad-leaved twayblade

9.9
A small orchid with two wide leaves and a thin stem of small green flowers
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : twayblade de hojas anchas
  • The broad-leaved twayblade is known for its pair of wide, flat leaves and delicate green flowers.

Examples

  • While hiking in the forest, we spotted a broad-leaved twayblade blooming by the stream.

  • Conservationists are monitoring the populations of broad-leaved twayblades in their natural habitat.

  • The broad-leaved twayblade is a unique orchid.

  • Have you ever seen a broad-leaved twayblade in the wild?

  • Conservationists are monitoring the populations of broad-leaved twayblades in their natural habitat.

  • The broad-leaved twayblade is known for its pair of wide, flat leaves and delicate green flowers.

  • While hiking in the forest, we spotted a broad-leaved twayblade blooming by the stream.

Synonyms

Listera convallarioides
vsbroad-leaved twayblade
  • Specialized
9.9

A small North American orchid with two oval leaves and a thin stem of small green flowers

is a common descriptive name stressing broad elliptic leaves
twayblade
vsbroad-leaved twayblade
  • UK
9.9

A small wild orchid with two wide leaves and greenish flowers

is the more specific North American species with elliptic leaves

Surface Forms

broad-leaved twayblade singular
broad-leaved twayblades plural

Morphology

broad-leaved + twayblade

The noun is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'broad-leaved' denotes having broad leaves and 'twayblade' denotes a small wild orchid, so the combined meaning is simply a twayblade that has broad leaves. This compositional pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Broad-leaved twayblade comes from the plant's look: broad-leaved means it has wide leaves, and twayblade uses an old word for 'two' plus 'blade' meaning 'leaf', so it literally points to two leaves. That's why the name fits this small orchid, which has a pair of wide, flat leaves and a small group of green flowers.