mangrove

2 definitions found

mangrove - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mangrove \Man"grove\, n. [Malay manggi-manggi.]
     1. (Bot.) The name of one or two trees of the genus
        Rhizophora (Rhizophora Mangle, and Rhizophora  mucronata
        , the last doubtfully distinct) inhabiting muddy
        shores of tropical regions, where they spread by emitting
        aerial roots, which fasten in the saline mire and
        eventually become new stems. The seeds also send down a
        strong root while yet attached to the parent plant.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The fruit has a ruddy brown shell, and a delicate white
           pulp which is sweet and eatable. The bark is
           astringent, and is used for tanning leather. The black
           and the white mangrove (Avicennia nitida and
           Avicennia tomentosa) have much the same habit.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) The mango fish.
        [1913 Webster]

mangrove - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  mangrove
      n 1: a tropical tree or shrub bearing fruit that germinates
           while still on the tree and having numerous prop roots that
           eventually form an impenetrable mass and are important in
           land building [syn: mangrove, Rhizophora mangle]