monkey puzzle

noun

1. a South American, coniferous timber tree, Araucaria araucana, having candelabralike branches, stiff sharp leaves, and edible nuts.

monkey puzzle

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of monkey puzzle¹

First recorded in 1865–70; perhaps from the intertwined arrangement of its limbs

Word History and Origins

Origin of monkey puzzle¹

so called because monkeys allegedly have difficulty climbing them