a genus of herbaceous plants (tribulus) of the order zygophylleae, having a hard several-celled fruit, armed with stout spines, and resembling the military instrument of the same name. the species grow in warm countries, and are often very annoying to cattle.-an instrument with four iron points, so disposed that, any three of them being on the ground, the other projects upward. they are scattered on the ground where an enemy's cavalry are to pass, to impede their progress by endangering the horses' feet.