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cactus

The origin and history of cactus.

Etymology

From the taxonomic genus name Cactus, coined by Linnaeus in 1752, from Ancient Greek kaktos, originally the name for a spiny thistle-like plant.

Origin: Ancient Greek · First attested 1752

Class of 1752

cactus first entered the language around 1752.

See the full Class of 1752 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.