Cardoncillo

/ˌkɑːrdɔːnˈθiːoʊ/ noun

Definition

A small spiny thistle-like plant or a regional variant name for certain prickly shrubs in Spanish-speaking areas.

Etymology

Spanish diminutive of cardón (itself from cardo), using the -cillo suffix to indicate something small.

Kelly Says

The '-cillo' ending is Spanish's way of saying 'little,' and it reveals how language works like Russian nesting dolls—cardo (thistle) becomes cardón (big thistle) becomes cardoncillo (tiny thistle).

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