prickly pear
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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Illustration of prickly pear
1696
First Known Use of prickly pear
1696
PRICKLY PEAR Defined for English Language Learners
prickly pear
Definition of prickly pear for English Language Learners
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: a cactus that has yellow flowers and fruits shaped like pears; also : the fruit of this plant
PRICKLY PEAR Defined for Kids
prickly pear
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
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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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