Cactus

Pronunciation: /ˈkæktəs/

Definitions of cactus

noun a type of plant that typically has thick, fleshy stems and are often covered in spines or needles

Example Sentences

A1 I saw a cactus in the desert.

A2 The cactus in my backyard is blooming.

B1 Cacti are well-adapted to survive in arid environments.

B2 The prickly needles of the cactus deter animals from eating it.

C1 The botanist studied the various species of cacti in the region.

C2 The greenhouse was filled with rare and exotic cacti from around the world.

Examples of cactus in a Sentence

formal The cactus is a type of succulent plant that is well-adapted to arid climates.

informal I accidentally pricked my finger on a cactus while hiking in the desert.

slang That cactus is looking pretty thorny, watch out!

figurative His personality is like a cactus - prickly on the outside but soft on the inside.

Grammatical Forms of cactus

• past tense: cacti
• plural: cactuses
• comparative: more cactus
• superlative: most cactus
• present tense: cactus
• future tense: will cactus
• perfect tense: have cactused
• continuous tense: is cactusing
• singular: cactus
• positive degree: cactus
• infinitive: to cactus
• gerund: cactusing
• participle: cactused

Origin and Evolution of cactus

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'cactus' is derived from the Latin word 'cactus', which means 'prickly plant'. The Latin word itself is derived from the Greek word 'kaktos'.

Evolution of the word: The word 'cactus' has retained its meaning of a spiny succulent plant throughout its usage in various languages. It has become a widely recognized term in botany and is commonly used in scientific and everyday language.