manzanita

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish manzanita, so named because the fruits look like little apples.

Pronunciation

Noun

manzanita (plural manzanitas)

  1. Any evergreen shrub or tree of the genus Arctostaphylos, especially Arctostaphylos manzanita, having smooth red or orange bark and stiff, twisting branches.
    • 1920, Peter B. Kyne, chapter VIII, in The Understanding Heart:
      The horse groaned and started his running walk down the trail; Uncle Charley pursued him, breaking a twig off a manzanita bush and handing it up to Monica, who flailed the sorry brute across the shoulders and rump.

Derived terms

Spanish

Etymology

From manzana +‎ -ita.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /manθaˈnita/ [mãn̟.θaˈni.t̪a] (Spain)
  • IPA(key): /mansaˈnita/ [mãn.saˈni.t̪a] (Latin America, Philippines)
  • Rhymes: -ita
  • Syllabification: man‧za‧ni‧ta

Noun

manzanita f (plural manzanitas)

  1. diminutive of manzana
  2. manzana verde (alcoholic beverage)

Further reading