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Glite Dictionary
Acacia catechu

Acacia catechu

9.0
A spiny tree from South and Southeast Asia with yellow flowers and flat pods used to make a dark dye
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Acacia catechu
  • Black catechu, obtained from Acacia catechu, is used as a dye and astringent.

Examples

  • The bark of Acacia catechu is used in traditional medicine and for tanning leather.

  • Researchers studied the chemical compounds found in Acacia catechu extracts.

  • Acacia catechu is commonly found in tropical regions.

  • The bark of Acacia catechu is used in traditional medicine.

  • Black catechu, obtained from Acacia catechu, is used as a dye and astringent.

  • Researchers studied the chemical compounds found in Acacia catechu extracts.

  • The bark of Acacia catechu is used in traditional medicine and for tanning leather.

Synonyms

catechu
vsAcacia catechu
  • Indian
9.9

A tree from India whose bark people use to make brown dye and medicine

gives a botanical description focusing on spiny habit, leaves, flowers, pods, and native range

Surface Forms

Acacia catechu singular
Acacia catechus plural

Morphology

Acacia + catechu

The binomial name combines the genus 'Acacia' with the specific epithet 'catechu', so a learner who knows both constituents can infer this refers to a particular Acacia species associated with catechu. Scientific names are compositional and used cross-linguistically, so the meaning is derivable from the parts rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Acacia catechu is a name that links the thorny tree and the dark substance made from its bark. The word Acacia comes from an old Greek word for 'thorn', and catechu is the local name for the black extract used as a 'dye' and 'medicine'. So, the name points to the thorny tree that gives the black catechu extract.