full moon maple
- noun
- Specialized
:
arce de luna llena
- The full moon maple is stunning in the fall.
Examples
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Gardeners prize the full moon maple for its delicate, deeply lobed foliage.
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The leaves of the full moon maple turn a brilliant scarlet in the fall.
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We planted a full moon maple in the backyard to add vibrant color each autumn.
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I planted a full moon maple in my garden.
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The gardener decided to add a full moon maple to his collection for its stunning autumn colors.
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In the fall, the full moon maple transforms the landscape with its vibrant red leaves.
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She chose a full moon maple for her front yard because of its unique, deeply incised leaves.
Synonyms
A Japanese maple tree with deeply cut leaves that turn bright red in autumn
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is clearly a noun compound where 'full moon' modifies 'maple', so a B1 learner who knows the words will infer it is a type of maple and may imagine an association with the appearance of the leaves or a seasonal look. However, the precise horticultural meaning (a specific Japanese maple cultivar with deeply incised leaves that turn bright red) and those specific attributes are not fully derivable from the constituents, making the expression only partially predictable.
Etymology
Full moon maple may come from the tree's look in autumn: when its many thin, deeply cut leaves turn bright red, the whole tree can form a round, glowing shape like a full moon. That's why the name refers to a kind of maple people plant for its delicate leaves and bright fall color.
