common matrimony vine
- noun
:
matrimonio común
- The common matrimony vine is often grown for its nutritious berries and ornamental value.
Examples
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Some herbal teas are made from the dried fruit of the common matrimony vine.
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Gardeners in temperate climates sometimes plant the common matrimony vine to attract pollinators.
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Look at the stunning common matrimony vine over there!
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The common matrimony vine is known for its vibrant flowers.
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Gardeners in temperate climates sometimes plant the common matrimony vine to attract pollinators.
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Some herbal teas are made from the dried fruit of the common matrimony vine.
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The common matrimony vine is often grown for its nutritious berries and ornamental value.
Synonyms
A bush with spiny branches that has purple flowers and bright orange-red berries
A bush with spiny branches, purple flowers, and orange-red berries
A small bush with spiny branches that produces bright orange-red berries called goji berries
Surface Forms
Morphology
The constituents 'common' and 'vine' transparently indicate a widespread plant, so a learner would know it refers to some kind of plant; however, 'matrimony' (meaning marriage) does not predict the botanical details (deciduous shrub, spiny branches, violet flowers, orange-red berries). Because part of the phrase (vine) is transparent but the specific referent and its properties are conventionalized and not derivable from 'matrimony', the expression is only partially predictable.
Etymology
Common matrimony vine may come from an old idea that its twisting branches and bright berries were used in wedding gifts or charms for 'marriage' and 'having children'. The word matrimony points to 'marriage' and vine shows it is a climbing shrub, so the name helps us remember this plant with spiny branches and orange-red berries.
