beanstalk
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - The main stem of a bean plant.
Usage
The word "beanstalk" refers specifically to the tall, central supporting structure of a plant that produces beans. It is a compound noun formed from "bean" and "stalk." It is most famously known from the English fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk," where a magic bean grows into an enormous stalk reaching the clouds.
Examples
- The gardener tied the beanstalk to a pole to help it grow upright.
- In the story, Jack climbed the enormous beanstalk to reach the giant's castle.
- A healthy beanstalk can produce many pods over the growing season.
Advanced Usage
- While primarily a literal term, "beanstalk" is often used allusively to refer to anything that grows very tall and thin, reminiscent of the fairy tale.
- The new skyscraper rose like a steel and glass beanstalk above the city.
Variants and Related Words
- Stalk (n): The main stem of a herbaceous plant.
- Vine (n): A plant with a stem that grows along the ground or climbs a support. (Note: While bean plants can be climbing, "beanstalk" specifically denotes the stem, not the plant's growth habit.)
Synonyms
- Stem (of a bean plant)
- Shoot (of a bean plant)
Idioms and Phrases
- "Jack and the Beanstalk": A common cultural reference to the fairy tale, used to describe rapid, miraculous, or risky growth.
- His startup's growth was a real Jack and the Beanstalk story—from a simple idea to a giant company almost overnight.
Noun
- stem of a bean plant