Tribulus

noun

Trib·​u·​lus
ˈtribyələs
: a genus of chiefly tropical or subtropical herbs (family Zygophyllaceae) introduced into North America with pinnate leaves and yellow or white flowers succeeded by a spiny or prickly fruit of five indehiscent tuberculate carpels see burnut, caltrop sense 1b, puncture vine

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, caltrop, from Greek tribolos, any of various prickly plants, threshing board studded with spikes; akin to Latin tribulum threshing board

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Cite this Entry

“Tribulus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tribulus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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