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Tumbleweed: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŒต
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tumbleweed

 

[ หˆtสŒmbษ™lหŒwiหd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

plant, desert

A tumbleweed is a plant that is characterized by its round, spiny structure that detaches from its roots when it is dry. As it blows across the ground, it often rolls along with the wind, scattering its seeds as it travels. Tumbleweeds are commonly associated with arid regions and are often seen in westerns and media as a symbol of desolation. They can also serve as an important part of the ecosystem by providing habitat and nourishment for various desert-dwelling species.

Synonyms

Russian thistle, Salsola, desert plant, wind plant.

Examples of usage

  • The tumbleweed rolled across the road, carried by the wind.
  • In many western films, the tumbleweed is often used to emphasize the emptiness of the desert.
  • We spotted a tumbleweed while hiking through the dry landscape.
  • The kids giggled as they watched the tumbleweed dance in the breeze.

Translations

Translations of the word "tumbleweed" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น planta rodadora

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เฅเคฒเคพเคฌ เค•เคพ เคชเฅŒเคงเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Tumbleweed

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ rumput berguling

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบัƒะบัƒั€ัƒะดะทัะฝะฐ ั€ะพัะปะธะฝะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ tumbleweed

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ฟใƒณใƒ–ใƒซใ‚ฆใ‚ฃใƒผใƒ‰

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท rouleau de paille

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ pรกjaro rodante

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tumbleweed

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ…€๋ธ”์œ„๋“œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ุจุงุช ู…ุชุฏุงูˆู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tumbleweed

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ tumbleweed

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆปš่‰

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ tumbleweed

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ tumbleweed

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะดำฉาฃะณะตะปะตะบ ัˆำฉะฟ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒฅแƒชแƒ”แƒ•แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tumbleweed

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ tumbleweed

Etymology

The word 'tumbleweed' combines 'tumble', which is derived from the Middle English 'tumbleden' meaning to roll over, and 'weed', from Old English 'wฤ“od' meaning a plant considered undesirable or a nuisance. The term became popularized in the American West in the late 19th century as settlers encountered these plants that were prevalent in the arid landscapes of the region. Tumbleweeds typically originate from certain species of the genus Salsola, and their ability to detach and roll along the ground provides an efficient means of dispersing their seeds in environments where moisture is scarce. This adaptation is vital for their survival and proliferation in desert ecosystems. The imagery of tumbleweeds has permeated popular culture, frequently seen in films and television as a symbol of loneliness and desolation.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,059, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.