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prickly pear

noun

Definition of prickly pear

1 or prickly pear cactus :opuntia; especially :an opuntia with flattened, usually paddle-shaped, jointed stem segments — compare cholla, nopal
2 or prickly pear fruit :the pulpy, pear- or egg-shaped, edible, yellow to purplish-red fruit of various prickly pears (such as Opuntia ficus-indica) — see 2tuna

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First Known Use of prickly pear

1696

PRICKLY PEAR Defined for English Language Learners

prickly pear

noun

Definition of prickly pear for English Language Learners

  • : a cactus that has yellow flowers and fruits shaped like pears; also : the fruit of this plant

PRICKLY PEAR Defined for Kids

prickly pear

noun

Definition of prickly pear for Students

:a cactus with flat branching spiny stems and a sweet fruit shaped like a pear

Learn More about prickly pear

  1. See words that rhyme with prickly pear Spanish Central: Translation of prickly pear Nglish: Translation of prickly pear for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prickly pear

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