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Glite Dictionary
Dipteryx odorata

Dipteryx odorata

9.9
A tall South American tree whose fragrant black seeds flavor food
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Dipteryx odorata
  • The seeds of the Dipteryx odorata tree are prized for their sweet aroma and are used to flavor desserts.

Examples

  • Many perfumers value Dipteryx odorata for its unique, vanilla-like scent.

  • In the Amazon rainforest, Dipteryx odorata can grow up to 30 meters tall.

  • The Dipteryx odorata tree can grow up to 30 meters tall.

  • Many chefs use Dipteryx odorata for its unique flavor.

  • The seeds of the Dipteryx odorata tree are prized for flavoring desserts due to their sweet aroma.

  • Many perfumers value Dipteryx odorata for its fragrant, vanilla-like scent used in various products.

  • In the Amazon rainforest, Dipteryx odorata produces black seeds known as tonka beans, which are popular in flavoring.

Synonyms

tonka bean tree
vsDipteryx odorata
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall tropical South American tree that produces fragrant seeds for flavoring

is the formal scientific name used to identify the species
Coumarouna odorata
vsDipteryx odorata
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall South American tree that makes fragrant black seeds used to add a sweet vanilla smell

focuses on the seed name and use rather than pod description or source label

Surface Forms

Dipteryx odorata singular
Dipteryx odoratas plural

Morphology

Dipteryx + odorata

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species epithet). If a learner knows 'Dipteryx' as the genus and recognizes 'odorata' as meaning 'scented' (Latin-derived), they can infer a fragrant Dipteryx (the tonka/fragrant tree); however the form is a technical scientific name and the epithet is Latin rather than everyday English, so a typical B1 learner without exposure to taxonomic naming would not reliably derive the full botanical meaning.

Etymology

Dipteryx odorata may come from old Greek and Latin words—Dipteryx meaning 'two wings' and odorata meaning 'scented'—because the tree has winged fruit that carry its seeds and very fragrant black seeds called tonka beans. That's why the name points to a tall tropical tree known for its sweet-smelling seeds used to flavor food and perfumes.