betel nut

American  

noun

1. 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.

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betel nut British  

noun

1. 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

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Etymology

Origin of betel nut

First recorded in 1675–85

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

betel nut

Those analyses detected arecoline inside the dental tissues of the ancient foragers, providing strong evidence that they had consumed betel nut.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

Paan, a betel nut leaf with slaked lime, rose petal jam and mouth fresheners like cardamom and cloves, has fascinated South Asians for centuries.

From BBC ● Dec. 2, 2023

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

One man made netting attached to the rail round the ticket office, seated of course, another knitted, and everyone chewed betel nut.

From From Edinburgh to India & Burmah by W. G. (William Gordon) Burn Murdoch

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