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Glite Dictionary
sisal family

sisal family

8.8
A group of plants from dry, warm places, like agave, that provide strong fibers
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪsəl ˈfæmɪli/
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia del sisal
  • The sisal family includes a variety of plants adapted to arid climates, such as agaves.

Examples

  • Members of the sisal family are often cultivated for their strong fibers used in rope and twine.

  • The sisal family primarily comprises species known for their fibrous leaves, such as the agave.

  • Botanists sometimes classify the sisal family under different broader families depending on the system used.

  • The sisal family includes various tropical plants.

  • Did you know that the sisal family contains the agave?

  • The sisal family includes several drought-resistant plants that thrive in hot climates.

  • Members of the sisal family are valued for their ability to grow in poor soil conditions.

Synonyms

agave family
vssisal family
  • Specialized
8.5

A group of plants like agave that grow well in dry, hot places

is a broader grouping that includes additional related plant groups
Agavaceae
vssisal family
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of plants like agave that grow in hot dry places

is the wider family term used to cover similar plants across classifications

Surface Forms

sisal family singular
sisal families plural

Morphology

sisal + family

The meaning is directly compositional: 'sisal' names a plant and 'family' denotes a group of related species, so 'sisal family' clearly refers to the taxonomic group containing sisal and related plants. This noun + noun composition follows common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Sisal family may come from the plant sisal, named after the port of Sisal in Mexico where its tough leaf fibers were shipped. That's why the name now refers to a group of plants, like agave, that grow in 'dry places' and give 'strong fiber' used for rope.