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cactus

Syllabification: (cac·tus)
Pronunciation: /ˈkaktəs/
Translate cactus | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of cactus

noun (plural cacti /-tī, -tē/ or cactuses)

  • a succulent plant with a thick, fleshy stem that typically bears spines, lacks leaves, and has brilliantly colored flowers. Cacti are native to arid regions of the New World and are cultivated elsewhere, especially as houseplants.
    • Family Cactaceae: numerous genera and species

Derivatives

cactaceous

Pronunciation: /kakˈtāSHəs/
adjective

Origin:

early 17th century (in the sense 'cardoon'): from Latin, from Greek kaktos 'cardoon'

Spelling help

The plural of cactus can be spelled either cacti (as in the original Latin) or cactuses.

cactus in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of cactus in the British & World English dictionary
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