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Glite Dictionary
hedgehog cactus

hedgehog cactus

8.6
A round desert plant with many sharp spines like a hedgehog
  • noun
  • /ˈhɛdʒhɔg ˈkæktəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cactus erizo
  • During our nature walk, we spotted a hedgehog cactus with stunning pink blossoms surrounded by rocky terrain.

Examples

  • While hiking in the desert, I was fascinated by the many hedgehog cacti that dotted the landscape with their sharp spines.

  • I accidentally pricked my finger on a hedgehog cactus while hiking in Arizona.

  • Botanists studied the growth patterns of the hedgehog cactus during the blooming season.

  • The hedgehog cactus is well adapted to survive in arid desert conditions.

  • The hedgehog cactus blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • Many hedgehog cacti thrive in arid environments.

  • The hedgehog cactus is known for its vibrant flowers that bloom in spring, attracting bees and butterflies.

Synonyms

echinocactus
vshedgehog cactus
  • Specialized
9.9

A round cactus with strong ribs and many sharp spines

focuses on a single form with stout sharp spines like a small animal's

Surface Forms

hedgehog cactus singular
hedgehog cacti plural
hedgehog cactuses plural

Morphology

hedgehog + cactus

The compound's meaning is directly built from its parts: a cactus that has spines or an appearance like a hedgehog. This kind of descriptive noun-noun composition (shape/resemblance naming) is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows 'hedgehog' and 'cactus' will readily infer the intended referent.

Etymology

The noun hedgehog cactus comes from the plant's look: its round body and many sharp spines make it look like a small hedgehog, so people called this cactus after the animal. That's why 'hedgehog cactus' means 'a cactus with thick, sharp spines'.