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baobab

[ bey-oh-bab, bah-oh-, bou-bab ]
/ ˈbeɪ oʊˌbæb, ˈbɑ oʊ-, ˈbaʊ bæb /
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noun
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.
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Origin of baobab

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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use baobab in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for baobab

baobab
/ (ˈbeɪəʊˌbæb) /

noun
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 breadAlso called: bottle tree, monkey bread tree

Word Origin for baobab

C17: probably from a native African word
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
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