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cactus
(kak′təs)
any desert plants of the cactus family, native to the New World, with fleshy stems, reduced or spinelike leaves, and often showy flowers
Origin: ModL < Gr kaktos, kind of thistle, cardoon
adjective
designating a family (Cactaceae) of dicotyledonous plants (order Caryophyllales), including the prickly pear, saguaro, and cereus
See cactus in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. cac·ti (-tīˌ) or cac·tus·es
- Any of various succulent, spiny, usually leafless plants native mostly to arid regions of the New World, having variously colored, often showy flowers with numerous stamens and petals.
- Any of several similar plants.
Origin:
Origin: Latin, cardoon
Origin: , from Greek kaktos
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