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Glite Dictionary
flax family

flax family

7.1
A group of flowering plants like flax that grow in many parts of the world
  • noun
  • /flæks ˈfæmɪli/
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia del lino
  • Linseed oil is derived from the seeds of plants in the flax family.

Examples

  • The flax family includes many species of flowering plants.

  • Many plants in the flax family are used for their fibers and seeds.

  • Members of the flax family are found in many parts of the world.

  • The flax family comprises several genera, including both herbaceous and woody plants.

  • Did you know that the flax family is important for textile production?

  • The flax family is known for its brightly colored flowers and nutritious seeds.

  • Scientists are studying how various species in the flax family adapt to different climates.

Synonyms

Linaceae
vsflax family
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of flowering plants that includes flax and similar plants used for seeds or cloth

is the common descriptive name for the same plant family used more widely

Surface Forms

flax family singular
flax families plural

Morphology

flax + family

The phrase is a straightforward compositional noun phrase: 'flax' (a plant) combined with 'family' (a grouping) yields the literal meaning 'a family of plants related to flax', which is directly derivable from the parts. The 'X family' taxonomic pattern is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Flax family comes from the plant flax and the word family, meaning a 'group' of similar plants. Imagine a field of flax plants standing with other similar plants, and you will see why flax family means the group of plants related to flax.