ar·au·car·ia \ˌaˌrȯˈka(a)rēə\noun Etymology: New Latin, from Arauco, locality in Chile + New Latin -aria 1.capitalized: a small genus of tall So. American or Australian trees (family Pinaceae) with branches usually in whorls, stiff broad scalelike leaves, large cones, and edible seeds — see monkey puzzle, norfolk island pine 2.-s: a plant of the genus Araucaria • ar·au·car·i·an\-ēən\adjective