baobab

[ bey-oh-bab, bah-oh-, bou-bab ]

noun
  1. any large tree belonging to the genus Adansonia, of the bombax family, especially A. digitata, which is native to tropical Africa, has an exceedingly thick trunk, and bears a gourdlike fruit.

Origin of baobab

1
First recorded in 1630–40, baobab is from the New Latin word bahobab, first cited in a description of the tree's fruit by Italian physician and botanist Prospero Alpini (1553–1616 or 17); origin obscure

Words Nearby baobab

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How to use baobab in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for baobab

baobab

/ (ˈbeɪəʊˌbæb) /


noun
  1. a bombacaceous tree, Adansonia digitata, native to Africa, that has a very thick trunk, large white flowers, and a gourdlike fruit with an edible pulp called monkey bread: Also called: bottle tree, monkey bread tree

Origin of baobab

1
C17: probably from a native African word

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