bromeliad
[broh-mee-lee-ad]
- any of numerous, usually epiphytic tropical American plants, having long, stiff leaves and showy flowers, and including the pineapple, Spanish moss, and many species grown as houseplants or ornamentals.
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Origin of bromeliad
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for bromeliad
Historical Examples
One individual was found in a bromeliad about three meters above the ground in the daytime.
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus SmiliscaWilliam E. Duellman
One was in a bromeliad growing about ten meters above the ground.
The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michoacn, MxicoWilliam E. Duellman
The insects in the water which ought to nourish the Bromeliad (Tillandsia) are really used by the Utricularia.
The Romance of Plant LifeG. F. Scott Elliot
bromeliad
- any plant of the tropical American family Bromeliaceae, typically epiphytes with a rosette of fleshy leaves. The family includes the pineapple and Spanish moss
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Word Origin
C19: from New Latin Bromelia type genus, after Olaf Bromelius (1639–1705), Swedish botanist
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for bromeliad
n.
from Modern Latin Bromeliaceæ, family name given by Linnæus, for Olaus Bromel (1639-1705), Swedish botanist. Related: Bromeliads.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
bromeliad
[brō-mē′lē-ăd′]
- Any of various tropical American plants of the family Bromeliaceae, most of which are epiphytes. They usually have long stiff leaves, colorful flowers, and showy bracts. The bromeliads include the pineapple, the Spanish moss, and numerous ornamental plants.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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