cactus

adj

Etymology: From taxonomic name Cactus, a name given in 1752 by Linnaeus for a genus of cacti (now superseded by the genus name Mammillaria), from Latin cactus, from Ancient Greek κάκτος (káktos, “cardoon”), possibly of Pre-Greek origin.

1. Non-functional, broken, exhausted, dead.

   “I wouldn't mind throwing it away if it's cactus except for the VCR part which works fine, so then I'd be up for a new VCR as well.”

   “I would say it's cactus. Water conducts & destroys components & PCBs very easily. Hence the water-resistant phones.”

name

1. A city in Texas.
2. An unincorporated community in California.

noun

Etymology: From taxonomic name Cactus, a name given in 1752 by Linnaeus for a genus of cacti (now superseded by the genus name Mammillaria), from Latin cactus, from Ancient Greek κάκτος (káktos, “cardoon”), possibly of Pre-Greek origin.

1. Any member of the family Cactaceae, a family of flowering New World succulent plants suited to a hot, semi-desert climate.

   “On the mountains a few junipers and piñons are found, and cactuses, agave, and yuccas, low, fleshy plants with bayonets and thorns.”

   “This was another experimental garden started under Dr. Berry as a ‘Nopalry’ or place for the rearing of the cochineal insect on cacti, which however, became a sort of experimental garden where exotic plants were received as they arrived in the Port of Madras and were nursed and looked after until they could be despatched to the interior stations.”

2. Any succulent plant with a thick fleshy stem bearing spines but no leaves, such as euphorbs.