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strangler fig

noun

Definition of strangler fig

: any of several figs (such as Ficus aurea of the southeastern U.S.) that start as epiphytes but send down roots to the ground around the host tree broadly : any of various epiphytic vines or trees (such as Clusia rosea synonym C. major) of similar habit

Examples of strangler fig in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The beach stretches away for a mile and a half on either side of me; behind me are a few private houses set among strangler figs and mango trees. — Francesca Gavin, Newsweek, "Captiva: The Island That Changed Rauschenberg and 20th Century Art," 13 Nov. 2016 Mango trees come in three colors—white, black and red—and Spanish moss hangs like dirty washing from the branches of the twisted strangler figs. — Francesca Gavin, Newsweek, "Captiva: The Island That Changed Rauschenberg and 20th Century Art," 13 Nov. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'strangler fig.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of strangler fig

1933, in the meaning defined above

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with strangler fig

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about strangler fig

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