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bonsai

bonsai


bon·sai    Audio Help   (bŏn-sī', bŏn'sī', -zī')   

n.   pl. bonsai

  1. The art of growing dwarfed, ornamentally shaped trees or shrubs in small shallow pots or trays.

  2. A tree or shrub grown by this method.


[Japanese, potted plant : bon, basin (from Middle Chinese bən) + sai, to plant (from Middle Chinese tsəj, tsaj).]
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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