Spanish dagger

American  

noun

1. a stemless or short-trunked plant, Yucca gloriosa, of the agave family, native to the southeastern United States, having leaves nearly 2½ feet (75 centimeters) long, with a stiff, sharp point, and greenish-white or reddish flowers nearly 4 inches (10 centimeters) wide.

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Etymology

Origin of Spanish dagger

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

The Selah Ranch in Austin, Texas, is a 5,500-acre spread covered by Spanish dagger and prickly pear, often with no sign of the elusive animals that live there.

From Time Magazine Archive

But by week's end the divers had found a genuine Spanish dagger in a ten-inch sheath encrusted with rust, and two Spanish medallions.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Spanish dagger plants at the gate pricked his calves painfully and he stumbled forward.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

To get rope, he slightly roasted the leaves of the Spanish dagger, tore the hot spikes in shreds with his tough fingers and knotted the fragments into a strong, pliable cord.

From Hunting in Many Lands The Book of the Boone and Crockett Club by Various

When Mr. C—— had gone, the Minister showed us several curiosities in his possession, and amongst them a beautiful Spanish dagger.

From A Yacht Voyage to Norway, Denmark, and Sweden 2nd edition by Ross, William A.