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.

In one episode, a Mizoram betel nut plantation was set on fire.

From New York Times • Jul. 27, 2021

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

It is true that many Papua New Guineans rely on the sale of betel nut for their livelihoods.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2017

He nodded in recognition of the salutes given him by groups of paroled prisoners, chewing betel nut under the trees.

From Civilization Tales of the Orient by La Motte, Ellen Newbold

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