plant
Definitions
A living organism that grows in soil, typically with leaves, roots, and stems.
植物
A factory or large industrial site where machinery is fixed in place.
工厂；（成套）设备
To put a seed or seedling into the ground so it can grow.
栽种，种植
To place something firmly or secretly in position (an idea, evidence).
安插；植入（想法）；栽赃（证据）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedStraight from Latin plantāre 'to set in the ground.' The noun is the thing you set in soil; the verb is the act of setting it. From 'set firmly in one place,' English stretched it to a factory (machinery set down and fixed) and to planting an idea or evidence (set secretly in place to be found).
Root plant still carries 8 more wordsWhy It Means This
The jump from 'living plant' to 'factory' surprises learners. The link is 'set firmly in one spot': a power plant is heavy machinery planted in place and not meant to move. The same 'set in place' idea explains the figurative senses — plant a spy in a company, plant a rumor, plant fake evidence: each puts something where it will quietly take effect.
Common Collocations
- 1.plant a tree种树
- 2.power plant发电厂
- 3.manufacturing plant制造工厂
- 4.house plant室内植物
- 5.plant evidence栽赃
- 6.plant a seed埋下种子
Example Sentences
- 1.
We decided to plant tomatoes and herbs in the backyard this spring.
- 2.
The car factory is the largest manufacturing plant in the region.
- 3.
Most house plants need indirect sunlight and weekly watering.
- 4.
The detective suspected someone had planted the evidence to frame him.
- 5.
Her comment planted a seed of doubt in his mind.