caltrop

[ kal-truhp ]

noun

1. any of several plants having spiny heads or fruit, as those of the genera Tribulus and Kallstroemia, or the star thistle, Centaurea calcitrapa.
2. an iron ball with four projecting spikes so disposed that when the ball is on the ground one of them always points upward: used to obstruct the passage of cavalry, armored vehicles, etc.

caltrop

/ ˈkælθrəp; ˈkæltrəp /

noun

1. any tropical or subtropical plant of the zygophyllaceous genera Tribulus and Kallstroemia that have spiny burs or bracts
2. water caltrop
   another name for water chestnut
3. another name for the star thistle
4. military a four-spiked iron ball or four joined spikes laid upon the ground as a device to lame cavalry horses, puncture tyres, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of caltrop¹

before 1000; Middle English calketrappe, Old English calcatrippe, colte-træppe, equivalent to calce- (< Latin calci-, stem of calx spur, heel) + træppe trap ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of caltrop¹

Old English calcatrippe (the plant), from Medieval Latin calcatrippa, probably from Latin calx heel + trippa trap ¹

Example Sentences

It released images of old desktop computer towers and crude weapons like steel caltrops and spiked metal balls, which allegedly belonged to the group.

From Seattle Times

Police spokesman Mikael Wern said that 10 locations were raided early Wednesday and officers found caltrops — spikes used to deflate vehicle tires — gas masks and objects that could be thrown.

From Seattle Times

Police said they encountered large-caliber weapons, explosives and caltrops, as well as snipers.

From Los Angeles Times

Clarisse climbed aboard with a batch of javelins, spiked balls, caltrops, and a bunch of other nasty toys.

From Literature

"We've planted iron spikes under the water, y'see, and there's caltrops scattered among them rocks there. It's the same on all the fords, by your brother's command."

From Literature