calaba

[ kuh-lah-buh ]

noun

1. a tree, Calophyllum brasiliense, of the West Indies and Central and South America, having leathery leaves and fragrant white flowers.
2. the reddish wood of this tree.

Word History and Origins

Origin of calaba¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from Colonial Spanish, from Carib; compare Galibi calaba, carapa “oil”

Example Sentences

A fragrant resinous substance produced by calophyllum calaba, or Santa Maria tree.

From Project Gutenberg

On the eastern side is the suburb of Calaba, and on the western our Malabar Hill.

From Project Gutenberg