torchwood family
- noun
- Specialized
- The frankincense tree is a member of the torchwood family.
Examples
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Many species in the torchwood family are prized for their aromatic resins.
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Many plants in the torchwood family are used for medicinal purposes.
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Botanists study various genera within the torchwood family for their medicinal properties.
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The torchwood family includes many unique species.
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Botanists study various genera within the torchwood family for their medicinal properties.
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Many species in the torchwood family are prized for their aromatic resins.
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The frankincense tree is a member of the torchwood family.
Synonyms
A family of tropical trees and bushes that make fragrant resins like frankincense and myrrh
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositional: 'torchwood' names a type of tree and 'family' denotes a taxonomic grouping, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the botanical family of torchwood-like trees. The 'X family' pattern is a common, cross-linguistic way to name biological groups, making the meaning directly derivable from the constituents.
Etymology
The name torchwood family may come from how people used these trees' sticky 'resin' long ago: they soaked pieces of wood so they burned like a torch. That's why the name now refers to a group of trees known for their scented resins.