Caltrop Definition
kăltrəp, kôl-
caltrops
noun
caltrops
An iron device with four spikes, placed on the ground so that one spike sticks up to hinder enemy cavalry.
Webster's New World
A similar device used to puncture pneumatic tires.
Webster's New World
Any of a number of plants with spiny flowering parts or fruits.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- water-chestnut
- water chestnut plant
- Tribulus terestris
- devil's weed
- Centauria calcitrapa
- star thistle
adjective
Designating a family (Zygophyllaceae) of dicotyledonous plants, shrubs, or trees (order Sapindales), including guaiacum, creosote bush, and bean caper.
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Caltrop
Noun
Singular:
caltrop
Plural:
caltropsOrigin of Caltrop
-
Middle English calketrappe from Norman French and from Old English calcatrippe thistle both from Medieval Latin calcatrippa thistle possibly from Latin calcāre to tread on calque trappa trap (of Germanic origin)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From the Latin calcitrapa (“thistle”).
From Wiktionary
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