prickly pear

/ˌprɪk(ə)li pɛər/

/ˈprɪkli pɛə/

Other forms: prickly pears

Definitions of prickly pear

1. noun

   cacti having spiny flat joints and oval fruit that is edible in some species; often used as food for stock
   synonyms: prickly pear cactus

   types:

   Opuntia lindheimeri, nopal

   cactus having yellow flowers and purple fruits

   Opuntia tuna, tuna

   tropical American prickly pear of Jamaica

   type of:

   cactus

   any succulent plant of the family Cactaceae native chiefly to arid regions of the New World and usually having spines
2. noun

   round or pear-shaped spiny fruit of any of various prickly pear cacti
   type of:

   edible fruit

   edible reproductive body of a seed plant especially one having sweet flesh