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Glite Dictionary
dragon tree

dragon tree

8.1
A tall subtropical tree from the Canary Islands with a thick trunk that gives red resin
  • noun
translation icon : drago
  • Botanists are studying the medicinal properties of resin from the dragon tree.

Examples

  • The dragon tree is admired for its unique umbrella-shaped canopy and thick trunk.

  • The famous dragon tree in Tenerife is several centuries old.

  • The dragon tree is a symbol of the Canary Islands.

  • Many tourists visit the dragon trees in Tenerife.

  • The dragon tree is admired for its unique umbrella-shaped canopy and thick trunk.

  • Many tourists visit the dragon tree in Tenerife to take photos.

  • The famous dragon tree in Tenerife is several centuries old.

Synonyms

Dracaena draco
vsdragon tree
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall tree-like plant from the Canary Islands that makes a sticky red sap called dragon's blood

is the common name used in everyday speech rather than the scientific label

Surface Forms

dragon tree singular
dragon trees plural

Morphology

dragon + tree

This is a straightforward noun+noun compound following the common 'X tree' pattern (e.g. apple tree, palm tree), so a B1 learner who knows 'dragon' and 'tree' will infer it denotes a particular kind of tree associated with 'dragon'. While the precise botanical details (subtropical habitat, red resin) are not predictable, the basic compositional meaning 'a type of tree related to dragon' is immediately derivable.

Etymology

Dragon tree gets its name from the bright red sap the tree makes, a resin called 'dragon's blood' that looks like blood. That's why the word dragon is used with tree to name this tall tree from the Canary Islands with a thick trunk and red resin.