English

Noun

mallee ‎(plural mallees)

1. (Australia) A type of scrubland with low-growing thick eucalypts, characteristic of certain parts of Australia. [from 19th c.]
2. (Australia) Any semi-desert region of Australia where such scrub is the predominant vegetation. [from 19th c.]
   • 1958, E. O. Schlunke, The Village Hampden:

     ‘They're going to lynch you, Regerson,’ Harry told him, grinning. ‘You'd better take to the mallee before they come for you.’

   • 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, 2003, page 365:

     It made no difference that he had also invented several ploughs and a device for grubbing Mallee country or that people had journeyed all the way from Melbourne to inspect them.

3. (Australia) Any of several low-growing eucalypts characteristic of such scrubland, especially Eucalyptus dumosa, Eucalyptus oleosa, and Eucalyptus socialis. [from 19th c.]
4. (botany, Australia) The growth habit of certain eucalypt species that grow with multiple stems springing from an underground lignotuber, shared by species of related genera.

Derived terms

• mallee ringneck
• mallee roller
• mallee soil

Latin

Noun

mallee

1. vocative singular of malleus