monkey puzzle

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noun

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

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Origin of monkey puzzle

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

Words nearby monkey puzzle

monkey on one's back, monkey orchid, monkeypod, monkeypot, monkeypox, monkey puzzle, monkey's fist, monkeyshine, monkey suit, monkey's wedding, monkey tail

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use monkey puzzle in a sentence

A monkey puzzle rocket burst, spluttering in darting crackles.
Ulysses|James Joyce
Araucaria imbricata, the Chile pine, or “monkey puzzle,” was introduced into Britain in 1796.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 4|Various
"He's a sort of walking monkey-puzzle, I guess," said the voice, and a roguish laugh followed the words.
The Odds|Ethel M. Dell

British Dictionary definitions for monkey puzzle

monkey puzzle

noun

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

Word Origin for monkey puzzle

so called because monkeys allegedly have difficulty climbing them

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012