açaí

American  

[ah-sah-ee, ah-sahy-ee] / ˌɑ sɑˈi, ˌɑ saɪˈi /

Or acai

noun

1. the deep purple, edible berry of a Central and South American palm tree, Euterpe oleracea.

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açaí British  

/ asai /

noun

1. Also called: palm berry.  a berry that grows on palm trees in the Brazilian rainforests. Because it is rich in nutrients, it is used to make energy drinks

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Etymology

Origin of açaí

First recorded in 1850–60; from Portuguese açaí, earlier açay, assaí, uaçay, from either Tupi ïwasaí (unrecorded) or a similar source in the Tupi-Guarani family

Example Sentences

Brazil has declared the acai berry a national fruit, a move to stamp its ownership on the popular "superfood" as concerns grow about foreign companies staking claims to the Amazon's biological riches.

From Barron's

Acai has been a savory staple in the Amazon for centuries, eaten as a thick paste alongside fish and manioc flour.

From Barron's

Acai's active ingredients piqued the interest of food and cosmetic companies worldwide.

From Barron's

In one case cited in parliamentary debates, a Japanese company trademarked the use of the name acai in 2003.

From Barron's

Cases like these drove the law declaring acai a national fruit, first introduced in 2011 and signed earlier this month.

From Barron's