Bonsai

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbɑnsaɪ/

Definitions

1. A miniature tree cultivated in a container to maintain its small size while mimicking the appearance of a full-sized tree
2. An ornamental plant shaped and pruned to remain small, often reflecting an artistic representation of nature
3. A small tree or shrub grown in a pot for artistic purposes, requiring careful maintenance to achieve its elaborate form

Etymology: The Japanese word "bonsai" is built from two Chinese characters: 盆, meaning bowl or tray, and 栽, meaning to plant. Put together, they describe a plant grown in a container, which is exactly what the practice involves. The characters came to Japan with Chinese culture, and the compound was formed from them in Japanese, so the word is a Japanese creation from Chinese parts rather than a simple loan. The Chinese roots carry the idea of the container as much as the planting. The first character names the shallow vessel that holds the tree, and the second names the act of setting something into the earth. The word therefore keeps the physical setup at its core: a living plant, rooted in a tray, kept small by the grower's hand.

Synonyms: miniature tree