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gambier

gambier

9.9
A tropical climbing shrub whose leaves are used to make a tanning and dyeing extract
  • noun
  • /ˈɡæmbɪər/
  • UK
translation icon : gambier
  • Workers collected fresh leaves from the gambier vines early in the morning.

Examples

  • Traditional leather tanning in Indonesia often uses gambier as a natural source of tannin.

  • The gambier plant is cultivated in Southeast Asia for its valuable extract.

  • The gambier plant thrives in tropical climates.

  • Many artisans use gambier for dyeing fabrics.

  • The leaves of the gambier plant are harvested to create a natural dye for textiles.

  • In traditional leather-making, artisans often use gambier to treat the hides.

  • Farmers in Southeast Asia cultivate gambier for its valuable tannin-rich extract.

Compounds

A group of islands in French Polynesia in the south-central Pacific Ocean

Surface Forms

gambier singular
gambiers plural

Etymology

The word gambier comes from the Malay word gambir, the local name for a climbing shrub in Southeast Asia whose leaves are used to make a strong brown dye and to tan leather. So gambier also names the plant that gives the useful leaves.