ceiba

/'si:bə/

Thân thiện

The ceiba tree stands tall in the lush rainforest clearing.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A genus of tropical American trees: "Ceiba" refers to a genus of trees native to tropical America, characterized by palmately compound leaves and large, showy, bell-shaped flowers. The most well-known species is Ceiba pentandra, the kapok or silk-cotton tree.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The towering ceiba is considered a sacred tree in many Mesoamerican cultures.
  • Fibers from the seed pods of the ceiba tree, known as kapok, are used for stuffing pillows and life jackets.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical and ecological contexts: The term "ceiba" is used specifically to refer to trees of this genus, often highlighting their ecological role as keystone species or their impressive size.
  • The ceiba forms an emergent layer in the rainforest canopy.

Variants and Related Words

• Kapok tree / Silk-cotton tree: Common names for , the most prominent species within the genus.
• Ceibaceae: The botanical family name to which the ceiba genus belongs.

Synonyms

• Kapok tree: Specifically for .
• Silk-cotton tree: Another common name for the same species.

Related Idioms or Cultural References

• "The World Tree" or "Tree of Life": In various indigenous cultures of the Americas, the ceiba tree is often revered as a sacred axis connecting the underworld, earth, and heavens.

Học thuật

Noun

1. tropical American trees with palmately compound leaves and showy bell-shaped flowers

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Ceiba
• genus Ceiba