California olive
- noun
- Specialized
:
olivo de California
- You can find California olive trees growing wild along the coastal hills of California.
Examples
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The California olive is prized for its tough wood and drought resistance.
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In spring, the California olive produces clusters of fragrant, creamy flowers.
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The California olive tree thrives in sunny climates.
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Many California olives are used in landscaping.
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In spring, the California olive produces clusters of fragrant, creamy flowers.
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You can find California olive trees growing wild along the coastal hills of California.
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The California olive is prized for its tough wood and drought resistance.
Synonyms
A tree from the Pacific coast of North America with strong-smelling leaves and hard wood
A coastal tree with fragrant leaves, small flowers, and olive-like fruit
A tree with leaves that smell nice, small fruits like olives, and very hard wood
A tree that grows by the coast with aromatic leaves, fruit like olives, and very hard wood
A coastal tree with scented leaves, small flower clusters, olive-like fruit and hard wood
A tree that has leaves with a strong smell and gives hard wood for furniture
A Pacific coastal tree with scented leaves and hard wood used for furniture
A tree from the west coast of North America with strong-smelling leaves and hard wood
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a straightforward place + noun compound: a B1 learner who knows 'California' and 'olive' will infer it refers to an olive (or an olive-like tree) associated with California. Although botanical nuance (different genus) exists, the general meaning is compositionally and cross-linguistically transparent.
Etymology
The noun California olive may come from the tree's small fruit and leaves that look and smell like a real olive, and from the way it grows along the California coast. That's why California olive now means a coastal tree with olive-like fruit, pleasant-smelling leaves, and hard, useful wood.
