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Glite Dictionary
physic nut

physic nut

9.9
A small tropical tree whose seeds have a toxic oil used for dye and tanning
  • noun
  • /ˈfɪzɪk nʌt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : nuez de physic
  • The seeds of the physic nut must be handled carefully due to their toxicity.

Examples

  • Farmers in South America cultivate physic nuts for their oil.

  • Researchers extracted a purple dye from the bark of the physic nut tree.

  • Farmers in some regions have started cultivating the physic nut for biofuel production.

  • The physic nut tree thrives in tropical climates.

  • Farmers in South America cultivate the physic nut tree for its oil, which is used in various products.

  • Researchers extracted a purple dye from the bark of the physic nut, which is also known for its medicinal properties.

  • The seeds of the physic nut tree contain a purgative oil, making them valuable for various applications.

Synonyms

Jatropha curcus
vsphysic nut
  • Specialized
9.9

A small tropical American tree whose seeds make poisonous oil and whose bark makes purple dye

mentions seeds with purgative oil but lacks emphasis on poisonous quality

Surface Forms

physic nut singular
physic nuts plural

Morphology

physic + nut

The compound is directly compositional: 'physic' (a purgative) + 'nut' (a seed) yields the predictable meaning 'a nut used for medicine/purgative purposes', which fits the dictionary sense of a plant whose seeds contain purgative oil. Although it names a specific species, the referent and function are inferable from the constituents and follow common noun-compound naming patterns.

Etymology

Physic nut gets its name from the old word physic, meaning 'medicine', because people used the tree's seeds as a strong medicine to clear the stomach, and nut simply means seed. That's why physic nut refers to a small tree whose seeds contain a powerful medicinal oil and are also used for dye and tanning.