sensitive pea
- noun
- /ˈsɛnsɪtɪv pi/
- US
:
guisante sensible
- The sensitive pea closes its leaflets when touched.
Examples
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Many gardeners are fascinated by the sensitive pea and its ability to close its leaflets when touched.
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The sensitive pea thrives in warm, humid environments and is native to tropical America.
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Researchers study the sensitive pea to understand plant movement and response to physical stimuli.
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Have you ever seen a sensitive pea in the garden?
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Many gardeners are fascinated by the sensitive pea and its ability to close its leaflets when touched.
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Researchers study the sensitive pea to understand plant movement and response to physical stimuli.
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The sensitive pea thrives in warm, humid environments and is native to tropical America.
Synonyms
A tropical plant whose small leaf parts close when touched
A small American plant with yellow flowers and leaflets that fold when touched, often in prairies and open woods
A tropical American plant with small leaves that fold when touched and yellow flowers
A small plant with yellow flowers whose leaves fold when touched
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase directly combines 'sensitive' (responsive to touch) with 'pea' (a plant), so the meaning 'a pea/plant that responds to touch' is readily inferable from the parts. This follows standard adjective+noun composition and has analogous constructions in other languages, making it immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows both words.
Etymology
Sensitive pea comes from a small plant whose tiny leaves fold up if you touch them, so the plant looks shy or 'sensitive'. That's why the words sensitive and pea describe a plant that 'closes when touched'.
