Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

cardoncillo

noun
car·​don·​ci·​llo | \ ˌkärdᵊnˈsē(ˌ)(y)ō\
plural -s

Definition of cardoncillo

: a cactus (Wilcoxia papillosa) of tropical America used for food and fuel

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for cardoncillo

Mexican Spanish, from Spanish, milk thistle (Silybum marianum), diminutive of cardón teasel

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about cardoncillo

Share cardoncillo

Dictionary Entries near cardoncillo

Cardium clay

cardo

cardon

cardoncillo

cardoon

Cardoso

Cardozo

Statistics for cardoncillo

Look-up Popularity

Comments on cardoncillo

What made you want to look up cardoncillo? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

purview

Listen to the pronounciation of purview

the range of authority or knowledge

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

  • rembrandt-painting-a-young-scholar-and-his-tutor
  • Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games