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mopane

mopane

9.9
A tree from southern Africa with butterfly-shaped leaves and very hard wood
  • noun
  • South African
translation icon : mopane
  • mopane tree

Examples

  • There are plenty of mopane trees in Zambia!

    Academic text (1993)
  • Inland woodlands dominated by mopane (Colophospermum mopane) grade westward into brushlands, dunes, and desert flats.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Inland woodlands dominated by mopane (Colophospermum mopane) grade westward into brushlands, dunes, and desert flats.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The mopane tree is known for its distinctive butterfly-shaped leaves, which thrive in the dry regions of southern Africa.

  • We set up camp under the shade of a large mopane tree, enjoying the cool breeze in the heat of the day.

  • The durable hardwood of the mopane tree is often used in furniture making and construction in southern Africa.

Synonyms

mopani
vsmopane
  • South African
9.9

A tree from southern Africa with very hard wood that feeds and shelters animals

focuses on distinctive butterfly shaped leaves and durable hardwood

Surface Forms

mopane singular
mopanes plural

Etymology

Mopane comes from a southern African name for the local tree, often seen spelled mopani. People kept this local name in English because it refers to a special, butterfly-shaped-leaved 'tree' with very hard wood, so today mopane means that particular tree.