caatinga

noun

caa·​tin·​ga

käˈtiŋgə,

kə-

variants or less commonly catinga

plural -s

: stunted rather sparse forest that is leafless in the dry season and is widespread in areas of small rainfall in northeastern Brazil

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese, modification of Tupi caá-tinga white forest, from caá forest + tinga white

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above

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