Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » caltrop

caltrop

(kal′trəp, -träp′)

noun

an iron device with four spikes, placed on the ground so that one spike sticks up to hinder enemy cavalry
a similar device used to puncture pneumatic tires
any of a number of plants with spiny flowering parts or fruits; specif.,
1. various plants (esp. Tribulus terrestris) of the caltrop family
2. various plants of other families, as star thistle and water chestnut

Origin: ME calketrappe < OE calcatrippe, star thistle & OFr chaucetrape, both < ML calcatrippa < L calcare, to tread upon (< calx, heel: see calcar) + Gmc *trippon, trip

adjective

designating a family (Zygophyllaceae) of dicotyledonous plants, shrubs, or trees (order Sapindales), including guaiacum, creosote bush, and bean caper

Also caltrap or calthrop

See caltrop in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of various plants of the genera Tribulus and Kallstroemia, having spiny or tuberculate fruits.
A Mediterranean species of star thistle (Centaurea calcitrapa) naturalized in North America.
See water chestnut.
A metal device with four projecting spikes so arranged that when three of the spikes are on the ground, the fourth points upward, used as a hazard to pneumatic tires or to the hooves of horses.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English calketrappe

Origin: , from Norman French

Origin: and from Old English calcatrippe, thistle

Origin: , both from Medieval Latin calcatrippa, thistle

Origin: : possibly from Latin calcāre, to tread on; see calque

Origin: + trappa, trap (of Germanic origin)

Learn more about caltrop

caltrop in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box