Etymology Map
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Cactus

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a succulent plant with spines

Where does the word "cactus" come from? It comes from Greek kaktos, adopted directly into English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
kaktos
Greek · ancient
"prickly plant"
Greek, the cardoon of Sicily
2
Stage 2 of 2
cactus
English · 1600s
"prickly plant"
Linnaeus applied it to American cacti in 1753
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Cactus’s story begins in Greek: kaktos meant “prickly plant.” Greek, the cardoon of Sicily. It reached English by 1600s as cactus. Linnaeus applied it to American cacti in 1753. Today, cactus means a succulent plant with spines.