n.
Pronunciation: ' kak-t ə s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural cac · ti \ - ˌ t ī , -( ˌ )t ē \ or cac · tus · es also cactus
Etymology: New Latin, genus name, from Latin, cardoon, from Greek kaktos
Date: 1767
: any of a family (Cactaceae, the cactus family) of plants that have succulent stems and branches with scales or spines instead of leaves and are found especially in dry areas (as deserts)