noun
palmetto
pal-MET-oh/pælˈmetəʊ/
A small palm with fan-shaped leaves, common in the southeastern United States.
A small palmetto spreads its fan-shaped leaves beside the path.
Etymology
The diminutive makes this a “little palm,” fitting the small tree. The tree name itself comes from the palm of the hand, since its leaves were likened to fingers.
In context
Palmetto it's known as a fan palm because of its fanlike leaves
More examples
- We plant palmettos along the sandy edge of our Florida yard.
- The palmetto's stiff leaves rustle in the coastal breeze.
- Young palmettos grow beneath the taller trees.
Forms
palmetto · palmettos · palmettoes
Similar words
- palm
- A broader term that includes tall species with feather-shaped leaves.
- saw palmetto
- A specific palmetto with sharp teeth along its leaf stalks.