English Explanatory Dictionary

monkey puzzle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A large coniferous tree, Araucaria araucana, native to Chile.

Pronunciation

/ˈmʌŋkiˌpʌz(ə)l/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-monkey puzzle.wav /ˈmʊŋkiˌpʊz(ə)l/ /ˈmʌŋkeˌpʌz(ə)l/

Word forms

monkey puzzle monkey puzzles monkeypuzzle monkey-puzzle

Etymology

From monkey + puzzle, apparently because the branches are so crowded and twisted that even a monkey would find it difficult to climb.

Synonyms

Chile pine Chilean pine monkey puzzle tree monkey tail tree
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