monkey puzzle

monkey puzzle

n

(Plants) a South American coniferous tree, Araucaria araucana, having branches shaped like a candelabrum and stiff sharp leaves: family Araucariaceae. Also called: Chile pine

[so called because monkeys allegedly have difficulty climbing them]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

mon′key puz`zle

n.

a South American coniferous timber tree, Araucariaaraucana, of the family Araucariaceae, with candelabralike branches, stiff sharp leaves, and edible nuts.

[1865–70; perhaps from the intertwined arrangement of its limbs]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

monkey puzzle - large Chilean evergreen conifer having intertwined branches and bearing edible nuts Araucaria araucana, chile pine araucaria - any of several tall South American or Australian trees with large cones and edible seeds

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Translations

monkey puzzle

n (tree) → araucaria

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995