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Glite Dictionary
Andira inermis

Andira inermis

9.9
A tropical tree with strong wood and toxic, smelly bark used to make the bowels move and kill worms
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Andira inermis
  • Carpenters often use wood from Andira inermis because of its remarkable durability.

Examples

  • The bark of Andira inermis is known for its strong purgative properties in traditional medicine.

  • Local communities warn against touching the toxic bark of Andira inermis without protection.

  • The Andira inermis tree is often found in tropical rainforests.

  • Many herbalists use Andira inermis for its medicinal properties.

  • Local communities warn against touching the toxic bark of Andira inermis without protection.

  • The bark of Andira inermis is known for its strong purgative properties in traditional medicine.

  • Carpenters often use wood from Andira inermis because of its remarkable durability.

Synonyms

cabbage-bark tree
vsAndira inermis
  • Indian
9.9

A tropical tree with smelly, poisonous bark and strong wood whose bark and seeds people use as medicine

is the scientific species name rather than a common name
cabbage tree
vsAndira inermis
  • Indian
9.8

A tropical tree with poisonous, smelly bark and hard wood used in traditional medicine

uses shaggy to stress loose bark fibres rather than rough texture
cabbage bark
vsAndira inermis
  • NSFW
9.9

A tropical American tree with rough, smelly poisonous outer layer and very hard wood used in traditional medicine

does not stress origin and focuses on bark traits and uses
angelim
vsAndira inermis
  • US
9.9

A tropical American tree with very hard wood used for furniture and building

refers to one specific species rather than many genus members
andelmin
vsAndira inermis
  • Specialized
9.9

A tree from tropical America with hard wood used for building

means the single species known for specific bark traits and uses

Surface Forms

Andira inermis singular
Andira inermises plural

Morphology

Andira + inermis

This is a scientific Latin binomial (a species name), functioning as a proper noun rather than a compositional English phrase; a B1 learner knowing the given constituent glosses (and lacking a dictionary entry for 'inermis') would not be able to derive the detailed meaning (toxic bark, medicinal uses, etc.). Latin morphology and taxonomic naming are not transparent to typical learners of English, so the sense is unpredictable from the parts.

Etymology

Andira inermis comes from two parts: Andira, a local name that may have been used where the tree grows, and inermis, a Latin word meaning 'unarmed' or 'without spines'. So the name is an easy memory: it points to a tropical tree with strong, durable wood and a smooth, thorn-free trunk, even though its bark can be toxic.