释义 |
cal·trop \ˈkal.trəp, -ˈȯ-\ noun also cal·throp \-thrəp\ (-s) Etymology: Middle English calketrappe, a plant, from Old English coltetræppe, calcatrippe, from Medieval Latin calcatrippa, probably from (assumed) calcitrappa, from calci- (from Latin calc-, calx heel) + trappa trap, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English træppe trap — more at calk, trap 1. : any of several plants having stout spines on the fruit or flower heads: as a. : star thistle b. : a plant of either of two genera (Tribulus and Kallstroemia) of the family Zygophyllaceae c. : water chestnut 2. a. : a device with four metal points so arranged that when any three are on the ground the fourth projects upward as a hazard to the hoofs of horses or to pneumatic tires — see caltrap b. : a calk on a horseshoe |