† ˈprickle-pear Obs.
[f. prickle n.1 + pear n.; cf. prick-pear.]
= prickly pear.
| 1624 Capt. Smith Virginia v. 170 The Prickell-peare..growes like a shrub by the ground, with broad thick leaues, all ouer-armed with long and sharpe dangerous thornes. 1697 W. Dampier Voy. round World (1699) 222 Here are several sorts of Fruits, as Guavo's, Pine-apples, Melons and Prickle-Pears. Ibid, The Prickle-Pear Bush, or Shrub,..3 or 4 foot high. 1792 M. Riddell Voy. Madeira 86 A tribe of the cactus, or prickle-pear species. |