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bella sombra

bella sombra

9.9
A fast-growing evergreen tree with a thick water-filled trunk and dark oval leaves that gives shade
  • noun
translation icon : bella sombra
  • Gardeners admire the bella sombra for its rapid growth and unique trunk structure.

Examples

  • The bella sombra provides welcome shade in the hot, dry summers of Argentina.

  • A row of bella sombras lines the boulevard, creating a lush green canopy.

  • The bella sombra tree thrives in humid climates.

  • Many gardeners prefer bella sombras for their fast growth.

  • A row of bella sombras lines the boulevard, creating a lush green canopy.

  • The bella sombra provides welcome shade in the hot, dry summers of Argentina.

  • Gardeners admire the bella sombra for its rapid growth and unique trunk structure.

Synonyms

Phytolacca dioica
vsbella sombra
  • Specialized
9.9

A fast-growing evergreen tree from South America with a wide trunk that holds water and dark green oval leaves

is the same species but described in a more general and familiar way
ombu
vsbella sombra
9.9

A large South American tree with a wide trunk that stores water and dark green leaves

is the same species but uses slightly more formal botanical wording

Surface Forms

bella sombra singular
bella sombras plural

Morphology

bella + sombra

The phrase is a non-English proper name: knowing 'bella' ('beautiful') and 'sombra' ('shade') would lead a learner to interpret the literal phrase as 'beautiful shade', which does not predict the specific botanical meaning 'a fast-growing evergreen tree'. As a lexicalized plant name borrowed from another language, its referent is arbitrary and not derivable from the constituents, so it is opaque to learners.

Etymology

Bella sombra comes from the Spanish words bella and sombra, which mean 'beautiful' and 'shade'. The name shows a tree with big leaves that makes cool, welcome shade, so today the phrase refers to that fast-growing, shade-giving tree.