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betel nut

American

noun

the astringent kernel of the seed of the betel palm, chewed in many tropical regions in combination with slaked lime and the leaves of the betel plant.

betel nut British

noun

the seed of the betel palm, chewed with betel leaves and lime by people in S and SE Asia as a digestive stimulant and narcotic

"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

Etymology

Origin of betel nut

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

betel nut

He could barely stand, but he followed the officer to a clearing, where three higher-ranking officials sat under the shade of betel nut trees.

From New York Times ● Aug. 8, 2019

The practice involves placing a small gift — a bit of money or betel nut — in a basket in exchange for a favor.

From Fox News ● Dec. 13, 2018

The practice involves placing a small gift - a bit of money or betel nut - in a basket in exchange for a favor.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 13, 2018

The chewing of betel nut, the seed of the Areca palm, is common across Asia and the Pacific.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2017

His lips, stained a hideous red by the betel nut juice, opened in a derisive smile and revealed his blackened teeth.

From A Modern Buccaneer by Boldrewood, Rolf

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023