areca

[uh-ree-kuh, ar-i-]

noun

any tropical Asian palm of the genus Areca, as the betel palm.

Origin of areca

1500–10; < New Latin (earlier E spellings reflect Portuguese or F); all ultimately < Malayalam aṭaykka

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for areca

Historical Examples of areca

The fruit, when tender, is masticated like the Areca catechu.
The Philippine Islands
John Foreman
He, at the same time, gave me a book for myself also written and painted by him, together with several purses for Areca nut.
Travels in China, Containing Descriptions, Observations, and Comparisons, Made and Collected in the Course of a Short Residence at the Imperial Palace of Yuen-Min-Yuen, and on a Subsequent Journey through the Country from Pekin to Canton
John Barrow
On the sand a lighted lamp is placed, with an areca nut by its side.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India
Edgar Thurston
Branches of areca nuts and flowers adorned the posts and pillars.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India
Edgar Thurston
Their own country supplies them with betel and areca, but they have their tea from China and Japan.
Tea and Tea Drinking
Arthur Reade

British Dictionary definitions for areca

areca

noun

any of various tall palms of the genus Areca, which are native to SE Asia and have white flowers and orange or red egg-shaped nuts

Word Origin for areca

C16: from Portuguese, from Malayalam adekka

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012