cochineal fig

2 definitions found

cochineal fig - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cochineal fig \Coch"i*neal fig\, (Bot.)
     A plant of Central and Southern America, of the Cactus
     family, extensively cultivated for the sake of the cochineal
     insect, which lives on it.
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  Fig \Fig\ (f[i^]g), n. [F. figue the fruit of the tree, Pr.
     figa, fr. L. ficus fig tree, fig. Cf. Fico.]
     1. (Bot.) A small fruit tree (Ficus Carica) with large
        leaves, known from the remotest antiquity. It was probably
        native from Syria westward to the Canary Islands.
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     2. The fruit of a fig tree, which is of round or oblong
        shape, and of various colors.
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     Note: The fruit of a fig tree is really the hollow end of a
           stem, and bears numerous achenia inside the cavity.
           Many species have little, hard, inedible figs, and in
           only a few does the fruit become soft and pulpy. The
           fruit of the cultivated varieties is much prized in its
           fresh state, and also when dried or preserved. See
           Caprification.
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     3. A small piece of tobacco. [U.S.]
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     4. The value of a fig, practically nothing; a fico; -- used
        in scorn or contempt. "A fig for Peter." --Shak.
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     Cochineal fig. See Conchineal fig.
  
     Fig dust, a preparation of fine oatmeal for feeding caged
        birds.
  
     Fig faun, one of a class of rural deities or monsters
        supposed to live on figs. "Therefore shall dragons dwell
        there with the fig fauns." --Jer. i. 39. (Douay version).
  
     Fig gnat (Zool.), a small fly said to be injurious to figs.
        
  
     Fig leaf, the leaf tree; hence, in allusion to the first
        clothing of Adam and Eve (Genesis iii.7), a covering for a
        thing that ought to be concealed; esp., an inadequate
        covering; a symbol for affected modesty.
  
     Fig marigold (Bot.), the name of several plants of the
        genus Mesembryanthemum, some of which are prized for the
        brilliancy and beauty of their flowers.
  
     Fig tree (Bot.), any tree of the genus Ficus, but
        especially F. Carica which produces the fig of commerce.
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