catechu

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun extract of the heartwood of Acacia catechu used for dyeing and tanning and preserving fishnets and sails; formerly used medicinally
noun East Indian spiny tree having twice-pinnate leaves and yellow flowers followed by flat pods; source of black catechu

Probably a corruption of the Malay kacu.

[792] This is the well-known catechu, obtained chiefly from the Acacia Catechu. — The Anabasis of Alexander : $b or, The history of the wars and conquests of Alexander the Great, Arrian
I have been obliged to amplify slightly and to omit some quas versu dicere non est; e.g. the tiniśa (Dalbergia ougeiniensis), punnága (Rottleria tinctoria), tilaka (not named), syandana (Dalbergia ougeiniensis again), vandana (unknown), nípa (Nauclea Kadamba), lakucha (Artœarpus lacucha), dhava (Grislea tomentosa), Aśvakarna (another name for the Sál), Śamí (Acacia Suma), khadira (Mimosa catechu), kinśuka (Butea frondosa), pátala (Bignonia suaveolens). — The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse, Valmiki

black catechu

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