tonka bean (redirected from Tonqua bean)

ton·ka bean  (tngk)

n.

1. A tropical South American tree (Dipteryx odorata) having pulpy, egg-shaped, one-seeded pods and fragrant seeds used as a substitute for vanilla and for flavoring tobacco and candies.

2. The seed of this tree.

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[Perhaps from Galibi tonka.]

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tonka bean [ˈtɒŋkə]

n

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) a tall leguminous tree, Coumarouna odorata, of tropical America, having fragrant black almond-shaped seeds

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) the seeds of this tree, used in the manufacture of perfumes, snuff, etc.

[probably from Tupi tonka]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	tonka bean - fragrant black nutlike seeds of the tonka bean tree; used in perfumes and medicines and as a substitute for vanilla coumara nut bean - any of various seeds or fruits that are beans or resemble beans
	2.	tonka bean - tall tropical South American tree having pulpy egg-shaped pods of fragrant black almond-shaped seeds used for flavoring Coumarouna odorata, Dipteryx odorata, tonka bean tree Coumarouna, Dipteryx, genus Coumarouna, genus Dipteryx - tropical American trees: tonka beans bean tree - any of several trees having seedpods as fruits