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casuarina definition

casua·rina (kaz̸h′o̵̅o̅ ə rē′nə)

noun

any of a genus (Casuarina) of trees of the casuarina family native chiefly to Australia, esp. a species (C. equisetifolia) with jointed, green branchlets that bear whorls of scalelike leaves; beefwood; Australian pine

Etymology: ModL < Malay kasuārī, cassowary: so named because the twigs are similar to the bird's feathers

adjective

designating a family (Casuarinaceae, order Casuarinales) of dicotyledonous trees and shrubs, having slender, drooping branches

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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