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Glite Dictionary
three-needled

three-needled

8.1
A tree with three needles in each small group, like some pine trees
  • adjective
translation icon : de tres agujas
  • Many botanists identify pine trees by determining whether they are three-needled, two-needled, or five-needled.

Examples

  • The ponderosa pine is a typical example of a three-needled species.

  • Because it is three-needled, this species can be easily distinguished from its relatives.

  • The three-needled pine tree stood tall in the forest.

  • Many gardeners prefer three-needled species for landscaping.

  • Many botanists identify pine trees by determining whether they are three-needled, two-needled, or five-needled.

  • The ponderosa pine is a typical example of a three-needled species.

  • Because it is three-needled, this species can be easily distinguished from its relatives.

How Many Needles

five-needled
  • Specialized
9.3
three-needled
8.1
two-needled
  • Specialized
9.1

Surface Forms

three-needled positive

Morphology

three-needled = three + needle (transparent) = three + needle + ed

Meaning is directly built from the numeral 'three' and the noun 'needle' with the adjectival suffix '-ed' meaning 'having or bearing', so the relation is clear.

Etymology

Three-needled is a simple compound made from three and needled, where needled means 'having needles'. It names conifer trees, like some pines, whose leaves grow in groups of three, so a 'three-needled' tree has three needles in each bundle.