pitahaya

American  

[pit-uh-hahy-uh] / ˌpɪt əˈhaɪ ə /

noun

1. any of several cacti of the genus Selenicereus and related genera, of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, bearing edible round or oval fruit usually having scaly skin and sweet pulp filled with seeds.

2. the fruit of any of several cacti of the genus Selenicereus and related genera.

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pitahaya British  

/ ˌpɪtəˈhaɪə /

noun

1. any giant cactus of Central America and the SW United States, esp the saguaro

2. Also called: dragon fruit.  the edible red pulpy fruit of such cacti, which has a mild sweet flavour

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Etymology

Origin of pitahaya

An Americanism first recorded in 1750–60; from Latin American Spanish, from Taíno

Example Sentences

It writhes and struggles across the hot earth, or spreads out silver-spined branches into a tree-like bush, or, in the great pitahaya, rises in fierce dignity like a monitor against the deep blue sky.

From The Romance of the Colorado River The Story of its Discovery in 1840, with an Account of the Later Explorations, and with Special Reference to the Voyages of Powell through the Line of the Great Canyons by Dellenbaugh, Frederick Samuel

We plucked the pears of the pitahaya, and ate them greedily; we found service-berries, yampo, and roots of the “pomme blanche.”

From The Scalp Hunters by Stewart, F.A.

The small river was Bill Williams Fork, and on striking it Onate began to see the remarkable pitahaya adorning the landscape with its tall, stately columns; and all the strange lowland vegetation followed.

From The Romance of the Colorado River The Story of its Discovery in 1840, with an Account of the Later Explorations, and with Special Reference to the Voyages of Powell through the Line of the Great Canyons by Dellenbaugh, Frederick Samuel

Forms of cactus, too, were apparent, and several plants of the great pitahaya rose high above the cliff, like gigantic candelabra—strange objects in such a situation.

From The War Trail The Hunt of the Wild Horse by Reid, Mayne

His leathern “botas” were pulled off, and adjusted at a slight angle to the thighs of pitahaya, and in such a way that the rim of the ample cloak came down over their tops.

From The White Chief A Legend of Northern Mexico by Evans, L.