catechu

cat·e·chu  (kt-ch)

n.

1.

a. A spiny Asian tree (Acacia catechu) having bipinnately compound leaves, spikes of yellow flowers, and dark heartwood.

b. A raw material obtained from the heartwood of this plant, used in the preparation of tannins and brown dyes. Also called cutch.

2. See betel palm.

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[Probably from Malay kachu, probably from Dravidian karaiyal, karaiccal, that which is dissolved, from karai, to melt.]

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catechu [ˈkætɪˌtʃuː], cachou, cutch

n

(Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) a water-soluble astringent resinous substance obtained from any of certain tropical plants, esp the leguminous tree Acacia catechu of S Asia, and used in medicine, tanning, and dyeing See also gambier

[probably from Malay kachu, of Dravidian origin]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	catechu - extract of the heartwood of Acacia catechu used for dyeing and tanning and preserving fishnets and sails; formerly used medicinally black catechu Acacia catechu, catechu, Jerusalem thorn - East Indian spiny tree having twice-pinnate leaves and yellow flowers followed by flat pods; source of black catechu extract, infusion - a solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water)
	2.	catechu - East Indian spiny tree having twice-pinnate leaves and yellow flowers followed by flat pods; source of black catechu Acacia catechu, Jerusalem thorn genus Acacia - large genus of shrubs and trees and some woody vines of Central and South America, Africa, Australia and Polynesia: wattle; mimosa acacia - any of various spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Acacia black catechu, catechu - extract of the heartwood of Acacia catechu used for dyeing and tanning and preserving fishnets and sails; formerly used medicinally