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cactus
cactus Any of 2000 or so species of succulents, found particularly in hot desert regions of the Western Hemisphere. A cactus' long roots enable it to absorb moisture from desert terrains and the fleshy green stem is adapted for water storage with a waxy coating to restrict evaporation. Stems are usually spiny, cylindrical and branched. Cactus flowers are usually borne singly in a wide range of colours. Height: from less than 2.5cm (1in) to more than 15m (50ft). See also xerophyte
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"cactus." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cactus." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cactus.html "cactus." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cactus.html |
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cactus
cac·tus / ˈkaktəs/ • n. (pl. cacti / ˈkakˌtī; -ˌtē/ or cactuses ) a succulent New World plant (family Cactaceae), chiefly of arid regions, with a thick, fleshy stem that typically bears spines and has brilliantly colored flowers. |
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"cactus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cactus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cactus.html "cactus." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-cactus.html |
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cactus
cactus †cardoon XVII; prickly plant with thick fleshy stems XVIII. — L. — Gr. káktos cardoon or Spanish artichoke (of Sicily); the name was adopted by Linnaeus for a genus of entirely different prickly plants.
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T. F. HOAD. "cactus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "cactus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-cactus.html T. F. HOAD. "cactus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-cactus.html |
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cactus
cactus
•cactus • saltus • Diophantus • Sanctus
•Rastus, Theophrastus
•altostratus, cirrostratus, nimbostratus, stratus
•conspectus, prospectus
•momentous, portentous
•asbestos, Festus
•apparatus, Donatus, hiatus, status
•acetous, boletus, Cetus, Epictetus, fetus, Miletus, quietus
•Hephaestus
•Benedictus, ictus, rictus
•Quintus • linctus • eucalyptus • cistus
•coitus
•circuitous, fortuitous, gratuitous
•Hippolytus • calamitous • tinnitus
•Iapetus • crepitus
•precipitous, serendipitous
•impetus • emeritus • spiritous
•Democritus, Theocritus
•Tacitus • necessitous
•duplicitous, felicitous, solicitous
•covetous
•iniquitous, ubiquitous
•detritus, Heraclitus, Polyclitus, Titus, Vitus
•Pocahontas, Pontus
•Plautus, tortoise
•cobaltous
•Duns Scotus, lotus
•hostess
•arbutus, Brutus
•Eustace • conductus • cultus
•coitus interruptus • Augustus
•riotous • Herodotus • Oireachtas
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Cite this article
"cactus." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cactus." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cactus.html "cactus." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cactus.html |
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