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cactus

cac·tus [ ˈkak-təs]

cactus

noun

[ˈkak-təs]

plural cacti\ ˈkak-ˌtī , -(ˌ)tē \ or cactuses also cactus

Definition of cactus

: any of a family (Cactaceae, the cactus family) of plants that have succulent stems and branches with scales or spines instead of leaves and are found especially in dry areas (such as deserts)

Recent Examples on the Web

//Baird, a prosecutor in the Bahia state public ministry, had convinced four municipalities anchoring this dusty landscape of cactuses and farmland to swap out animal protein for plant protein at all public schools.
— Washington Post, "Schools in meat-loving rural Brazil went vegan. The community revolted.," 3 Nov. 2019
//And my entire camera roll on my phone is full of walls and cactus and tiles.
— Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "Sophia Bush Is Launching a Design Business With Her Best Friend," 31 Oct. 2019
//While most tundras have sparse vegetation, the paramos is famous for striking plants called frailejones that can be taller than humans and resemble a cross between a cactus and a palm tree.
— San Diego Union-Tribune, "Hardy scientists trek to Venezuela’s last glacier amid chaos," 24 Sep. 2019
//That, along with the potted cactus and dusty-pink cacti print hanging behind the sofa, all lended to the laidback, boho vibe Gina was going for.
— Candace Braun Davison, House Beautiful, "Gina Rodriguez's New Living Room Redefines California Cool," 27 Aug. 2019
//Its blocky facade is almost Dr. Suessian in form, with asymmetrical windows, random cut-outs, and lots of pink and yellow next to bright green cacti and perfectly landscaped rocks (that should have been a hint).
— Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Pretty pink home is custom-designed for Instagram," 13 Aug. 2019
//Nash says there has been speculation that certain batches of chicha might have included hallucinogens; some Wari pottery features drawings of psychedelic plants like the San Pedro de Atacama cactus and the vilca tree.
— Megan Gannon, National Geographic, "'Beer diplomacy' practiced in ancient empire’s dying days, artifacts reveal," 18 Apr. 2019
//When his longtime enemy Pierre Bergé died, Lagerfeld considered sending a cactus to the funeral.
— Bob Morris, Town & Country, "A (Candid) Guide to Celebrity Death Etiquette," 6 Aug. 2019
//An Arizona driver escaped injuries but was taken into custody after a cactus plummeted through his car windshield Wednesday.
— Fox News, "Giant cactus pierces car windshield on Arizona highway, driver miraculously unhurt," 11 July 2019

First Known Use of cactus

1738, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for cactus

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, cardoon, from Greek kaktos

Dictionary Entries near cactus