catechu
catechu · catechus
A gummy extract of any of several species of Acacieae, but especially Senegalia…A gummy extract of any of several species of Acacieae, but especially Senegalia catechu, produced by boiling the wood of the tree in water and evaporating the resulting liquid.
UK/ˈkæt.ɪt͡ʃ.uː/US/ˈkæt.əˌt͡ʃuː/
Meaning
1 senses(countable, uncountable)A gummy extract of any of several species of Acacieae, but especially Senegalia catechu, produced by boiling the wood of the tree in water and evaporating the resulting liquid.
More definitions
- East Indian spiny tree having twice-pinnate leaves and yellow flowers followed by flat pods; source of black catechu
- extract of the heartwood of Acacia catechu used for dyeing and tanning and preserving fishnets and sails; formerly used medicinally
Origin
Probably a corruption of the Malay kacu.Probably a corruption of the Malay kacu.
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Forms
plural: catechusSynonyms
4 synonymsextract of acacia:Japanese earth
Close in meaning
- East Indian spiny tree having twice-pinnate leaves and yellow flowers followed by flat pods; source of black catechu:Jerusalem thornAcacia catechu
- extract of the heartwood of Acacia catechu used for dyeing and tanning and preserving fishnets and sails; formerly used medicinally:black catechu
Word family
3 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable