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Glite Dictionary
Aleurites moluccana

Aleurites moluccana

9.9
A large Southeast Asian tree whose nuts give oil for varnish and whose seeds are used to make candles
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Aleurites moluccana
  • The oil extracted from Aleurites moluccana nuts is widely used in making varnishes.

Examples

  • Many locals use Aleurites moluccana nuts to make candles.

  • Known as the candlenut tree, Aleurites moluccana is cultivated for both its ornamental value and practical uses.

  • Traditional Hawaiian leis sometimes include the seeds of Aleurites moluccana as decoration.

  • The Aleurites moluccana tree is commonly found in tropical regions.

  • The oil extracted from Aleurites moluccana nuts is widely used in making varnishes.

  • Many locals use Aleurites moluccana nuts to make candles.

  • Known as the candlenut tree, Aleurites moluccana is cultivated for both its ornamental value and practical uses.

Synonyms

candlenut
vsAleurites moluccana
  • Australian
9.6

A large tropical tree whose seeds are used for oil and are sometimes burned like candles

is the botanical name variant for the same tree
varnish tree
vsAleurites moluccana
  • Indian
9.9

A large Southeast Asian tree whose nuts give oil used to make varnish and whose kernels are used as candles

includes the candle kernel use as well as the varnish oil use

Surface Forms

Aleurites moluccana singular
Aleurites moluccanas plural

Morphology

Aleurites + moluccana

This is a Latin binomial: combining the genus name Aleurites (a genus of trees with oily seeds) with a species epithet signals a particular species, so a learner who knows the genus can infer it is a kind of tree. However, the specific properties (candlenut, oil used in varnishes, regional association) are not derivable from the epithet 'moluccana' and require specialized/botanical knowledge, making the overall meaning only partially predictable.

Etymology

Aleurites moluccana is the scientific name for the 'candlenut tree'. People on Pacific islands used its oily nuts for light — they could burn a nut, press it for lamp oil, or string the nuts like simple candles, so the name points to a tree whose nuts provide oil and light.