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Glite Dictionary
Jatropha curcus

Jatropha curcus

9.9
A small tropical American tree whose seeds make poisonous oil and whose bark makes purple dye
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Jatrofa curcas
  • In tropical America, Jatropha curcus is valued for its seeds that yield a toxic purgative oil.

Examples

  • Traditional communities have used the bark of Jatropha curcus for making purple dye.

  • The oil extracted from Jatropha curcus seeds can be used to produce biodiesel.

  • Farmers are cautious when handling Jatropha curcus because of the toxic nature of its seeds.

  • The Jatropha curcus tree is native to tropical America.

  • Farmers are cultivating Jatropha curcus for its oil.

  • Farmers are cautious when handling Jatropha curcus because its seeds can produce a poisonous oil.

  • The bark of Jatropha curcus is commonly used to produce a purple dye.

Synonyms

physic nut
vsJatropha curcus
  • Specialized
9.9

A small tropical tree whose seeds have a toxic oil used for dye and tanning

is the scientific name rather than the common name

Surface Forms

Jatropha curcus singular
Jatropha curcuses plural
Jatropha curcasses plural
Jatropha curcas singular

Morphology

Jatropha + curcus

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name: such names function as arbitrary labels for species rather than compositional English phrases. The second element 'curcus' has no dictionary meaning here, and even knowing 'Jatropha' would not let a B1 learner derive the specific senses (poisonous oil, dye, tree form), so the overall meaning is not predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Jatropha curcus may come from old Greek words that made Jatropha mean 'doctor' and curcus mean 'food', because people used this small tropical tree as a strong medicine and for its oil. That's why the name reminds us of its medical use and its oily, sometimes poisonous seeds.