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Glite Dictionary
red kauri

red kauri

9.9
A very large New Zealand tree with shiny leaves and reddish-brown scaly bark
  • noun
  • New Zealand
translation icon : kauri rojo
  • The towering red kauri dominates parts of New Zealand's native forests.

Examples

  • Botanists studied the unique bark of the red kauri to better understand its adaptation to the local environment.

  • A fallen red kauri can provide a habitat for many forest creatures.

  • The red kauri tree is native to New Zealand.

  • Many red kauris grow in the forests of New Zealand.

  • The towering red kauri is an iconic feature of New Zealand's landscapes.

  • Botanists studied the unique bark of the red kauri to learn how it protects the tree from pests.

  • Many red kauri trees are protected in national parks throughout New Zealand.

Synonyms

Agathis australis
vsred kauri
  • Specialized
9.9

A very tall evergreen tree from New Zealand called the kauri with straight pale wood used for building

focuses on glossy leaves and scaly reddish brown bark
kauri
vsred kauri
  • New Zealand
9.9

A tall New Zealand tree with straight, pale wood used for timber

highlights glossy leaves and scaly reddish brown bark instead of timber use

Surface Forms

red kauri singular
red kauris plural

Morphology

red + kauri

This is a straightforward adjective+noun combination: a B1 learner who knows 'red' and 'kauri' will infer it denotes a kauri tree that is red or has reddish bark. The compositional pattern (color modifying a noun) is regular and cross-linguistically common, so the meaning is immediately derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Red kauri comes from the Māori word kauri for a large native tree and the word red describes its rough, reddish-brown bark. Picture a tall tree with shiny leaves and a deep red trunk, and that image explains why the name means this particular New Zealand tree.