nipa palm
- noun
- Australian
:
palma nipa
- Farmers collect the sweet sap from the nipa palm to produce a local alcoholic beverage.
Examples
-
The leaves of the nipa palm are traditionally used for thatching roofs in Southeast Asia.
-
The fruit of the nipa palm contains edible seeds enjoyed as a snack in many countries.
-
The nipa palm grows in coastal regions.
-
Many fishermen rely on the nipa palm for shelter.
-
Farmers collect the sweet sap from the nipa palm to produce a local alcoholic beverage.
-
The fruit of the nipa palm contains edible seeds enjoyed as a snack in many countries.
-
The leaves of the nipa palm are traditionally used for thatching roofs in Southeast Asia.
Synonyms
A low palm that grows in muddy coastal water and gives sap, leaves, and edible seeds
A group of palm plants with only one living type, the nipa palm
A palm tree that grows in mangrove forests near the sea in Southeast Asia
A tropical palm that grows in coastal mudflats by the sea
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun-noun combination is compositionally transparent: 'nipa' denotes a specific kind of palm and 'palm' denotes the tree, so a learner who knows both words can infer this is a type of palm (typically coastal/mangrove). While detailed uses or botanical specifics go beyond the compounds' literal meaning, the core referent is directly derivable from the constituents and follows a common compounding pattern.
Etymology
Nipa palm gets its name from a local Southeast Asian word, nipa, for a small palm that grows in coastal swamps. People used its long leaves to cover roofs and its sweet 'sap' to make drinks, so the name now means that particular palm used for roofs, drinks, and food.
