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pigeon pea

pigeon pea

6.0
A tropical shrub with yellow flowers that produces seeds eaten as food
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪdʒən piː/
translation icon : planta de gandul
  • The seeds of the pigeon pea are used in many traditional stews and curries.

Examples

  • Intercropping with pigeon pea helps enrich the soil with nitrogen.

  • Farmers in India often plant pigeon pea as a drought-resistant crop.

  • The pigeon pea is rich in protein.

  • Many farmers grow pigeon peas for their high yield.

  • Farmers in India often plant pigeon pea because it is a drought-resistant crop that thrives in hot climates.

  • The seeds of the pigeon pea are commonly used in traditional dishes like stews and curries across many cultures.

  • Intercropping with pigeon pea is a sustainable practice, as it helps to improve soil nitrogen levels for better crop yields.

Synonyms

dahl
vspigeon pea
  • UK
6 9.9

A woody plant that grows in warm places and has bright yellow flowers and flat pods

is the specific food and forage crop name rather than just a plant description
dhal
vspigeon pea
  • Indian
1 8.9

A tropical plant with yellow flowers and flat pods grown for edible seeds

is the botanical or general crop name rather than the regional culinary term
cajan pea
vspigeon pea
  • Indian
9.1

A tropical plant with hard stems and yellow flowers that has flat pods of edible seeds

is the primary common name rather than an alternate label
pigeon-pea plant
vspigeon pea
  • Australian
7.6

A tropical shrub with yellow flowers and flat pods that gives edible seeds

is the general, everyday name rather than this botanical phrasing
Cajanus cajan
vspigeon pea
  • Specialized
9.4

A tropical plant with yellow flowers and flat pods that makes edible seeds like peas

is the everyday common name rather than the Latin scientific form
red gram
vspigeon pea
  • Indian
8.4

A tropical plant grown for its small edible seeds used like peas

is the general name used worldwide rather than this regional label

Surface Forms

pigeon pea singular
pigeon peas plural

Morphology

pigeon + pea

The noun follows a transparent modifier + head noun pattern: 'pea' names the category (a legume) and 'pigeon' simply specifies a variety, so a learner who knows both words can infer it is a kind of pea/legume. The historical reason for the modifier ('pigeon') may be arbitrary, but this does not prevent a B1 learner from understanding the basic meaning as a type of pea with edible seeds.

Etymology

Pigeon pea may come from the plant's seeds being used as food for pigeons, while pea shows it is a pea-like plant. So the name now refers to the shrub that makes those edible seeds.