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encephalartos

noun
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en·​ceph·​a·​lar·​tos | \ ə̇nˌsefəˈlärtəs \

Definition of encephalartos

1 capitalized : a genus of arborescent African cycads (family Cycadaceae) having stout cylindrical trunks and a terminal crown of mostly long spiny pinnate leaves — see kaffir bread
2 plural -es : any plant of the genus Encephalartos

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History and Etymology for encephalartos

New Latin, from Greek enkephalos heart of the date palm, brain + artos bread

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“Encephalartos.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encephalartos. Accessed 26 January 2020.

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