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rattan

rattan

3 7.2
A strong, flexible stem from a tropical palm used to make furniture and baskets
  • noun
  • /ˈrætən/
translation icon : ratán
  • The table on the patio is made of rattan, giving it a stylish and tropical look.

But for you, it could be natural wood, it could be rattan, it could be all white pallets, but start pinning and then process.

Examples

  • Vi sat in a rattan chair beside the bed reading a novel.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • "Yes," he said, struggling a bit with his rattan basket.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • - So this is the country where they grow rattan love seats.

  • And then I also wanted to show you this brand new like rattan cooler.

  • The work takes the man almost the entire day: cutting the rattan into fine long strips takes a very long time.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Sitting in a rattan chair is Connie, big as a house.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • We drive by a strip of shops selling rattan furniture and straw hats.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • I found Audrey on the porch in the rattan chair.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Over dinner the following evening, Edward leaned back in his rattan peacock chair.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The caretaker, a polite, middle-aged man, sat in an uncomfortable rattan chair.

    Fiction book (2001)

Synonyms

rattan cane
vsrattan
1 5.2

A long thin flexible stem from a climbing palm used to make furniture or baskets

covers both the climbing palm and its flexible stems used for making items
rattan palm
vsrattan
  • Indian
7.9

A climbing palm whose long stems people use to make furniture and baskets

is the general material and plant used for making furniture and baskets

Compounds

1 5.2

A long thin flexible stem from a climbing palm used to make furniture or baskets

rattan palm
  • Indian
7.9

A climbing palm whose long stems people use to make furniture and baskets

Surface Forms

rattan singular
rattans plural

Etymology

Rattan comes from the Malay word rotan, which meant 'a long, flexible palm' from Southeast Asia. People used its strong, bendy stems to weave baskets and furniture, which is why rattan now names both the stems and the light, woven furniture made from them.