spider orchid
1
7.2
- noun
- /ˈspaɪdər ˈɔrkɪd/
- The garden is filled with beautiful spider orchids that attract many visitors.
Examples
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And that's a rare spider orchid?
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In South America, the spider orchid blooms in vibrant colors, resembling delicate arachnids.
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She was thrilled to discover a rare spider orchid during her hike in the tropical forest.
Synonyms
1
8.3
An orchid that flowers in spring with pale outer petals and a large brown soft middle petal
An orchid with long thin flower parts and yellow or green spiderlike flowers
An orchid from Central America with spiderlike flowers and green bumps
A South American orchid with pale yellow or green flowers that look like spiders
A wild orchid from Australia and New Caledonia with thin, spider-like flowers
A kind of orchid that blooms in spring with green, yellow, or pink petals and a broad brown velvety centre
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is transparently compositional: a learner who knows 'spider' and 'orchid' can infer it refers to an orchid that resembles a spider (flowers or shape). This kind of descriptive compound follows common naming patterns across languages and is directly derivable from the constituent meanings, so a B1 learner would understand it without prior exposure.
Etymology
Spider orchid gets its name from the flower's shape: its long, thin petals and other parts spread out like a spider's legs on an orchid, so people said the flower 'looked like' a spider. That's why the name now means any orchid whose flower looks like a spider.