monstera

[ mon-ster-uh ]

noun

1. any of various tropical American climbing plants belonging to the genus Monstera, of the arum family, especially M. deliciosa, having split or perforated leaves and often grown as a houseplant.

monstera

/ mɒnˈstɪərə /

noun

1. any plant of the tropical climbing genus Monstera, some species of which are grown as greenhouse or pot plants for their unusual leathery perforated leaves: family Araceae. M. deliciosa is the Swiss cheese plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of monstera¹

< New Latin (1763), apparently irregular derivative of Latin mōnstrum monster; -a ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of monstera¹

New Latin, perhaps because the leaves were regarded as an aberration

Example Sentences

The Monstera deliciosa, one of the grandest of arid plants, is a native of the mountainous regions of Guatamala and Brazil.

From Project Gutenberg