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Glite Dictionary
Pterocarpus marsupium

Pterocarpus marsupium

9.9
A tree from India that makes a sticky sap used as medicine and to make leather
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Pterocarpus marsupium
  • The extract of Pterocarpus marsupium is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to manage diabetes.

Examples

  • A large Pterocarpus marsupium tree grew on the outskirts of the village, valued for its medicinal resin.

  • Researchers studied Pterocarpus marsupium to explore new natural compounds for pharmaceutical use.

  • The Pterocarpus marsupium tree is known for its medicinal properties.

  • Did you know that Pterocarpus marsupium is used in traditional medicine?

  • The extract of Pterocarpus marsupium is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to manage diabetes.

  • Researchers studied Pterocarpus marsupium to explore new natural compounds for pharmaceutical use.

  • A large Pterocarpus marsupium tree grew on the outskirts of the village, valued for its medicinal resin.

Synonyms

kino
vsPterocarpus marsupium
  • Indian
9.9

A tree from India that makes a reddish gum used to treat diarrhea and tan leather

refers to a specific tree species with that same medicinal and tanning resin
catechu
vsPterocarpus marsupium
  • Indian
9.9

A tree from India whose bark people use to make brown dye and medicine

is similar in use but is a different tree species used in dyes

Surface Forms

Pterocarpus marsupium singular
Pterocarpus marsupiums plural

Morphology

Pterocarpus + marsupium

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name functioning as a technical proper noun, so its specific meaning (an East Indian tree used medicinally and in tanning) is not compositionally derivable from the provided constituents. One constituent is undefined and even if the learner knew that Pterocarpus refers to a genus of winged-pod trees, that knowledge does not make the species identity or medicinal/tanning uses predictable, so a B1 learner would not infer the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

The plant name Pterocarpus marsupium comes from old parts ptero and carpus, which mean 'wing' and 'fruit', because the tree's seed pods look like flat wings. The tree is also known for its dark, sticky 'resin' used as 'medicine' and for 'tanning', so picturing the winged seeds and the useful resin helps you remember the tree and its uses.