[bon-sahy, -zahy, bohn-, bon-sahy, -zahy, bohn-] 
| 1. | a tree or shrub that has been dwarfed, as by pruning the roots and pinching, and is grown in a pot or other container and trained to produce a desired shape or effect. |
| 2. | the art or hobby of developing and growing such a plant or plants. |
bon·sai (bŏn-sī', bŏn'sī', -zī')  (click for larger image in new window) n. pl. bonsai
[Japanese, potted plant : bon, basin (from Middle Chinese bən) + sai, to plant (from Middle Chinese tsəj, tsaj).] |