ceiba

[ sey-buh sahy-; Spanish they-bah, sey- ]

noun

, plural cei·bas [sey, -b, uh, z, sahy, -, they, -bahs, sey, -].

1. the silk-cotton tree, Ceiba pentandra.
2. silk cotton; kapok.

ceiba

/ ˈseɪbə /

noun

1. any bombacaceous tropical tree of the genus Ceiba, such as the silk-cotton tree
2. silk cotton; kapok

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceiba¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from Spanish, from Taíno ceyba or its cognate in another Arawakan language

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceiba¹

C19: from New Latin, from Spanish, of Arawak origin

Example Sentences

It is on this savannah that we have our first good opportunity of viewing the mighty ceiba tree near at hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Individuals were most readily observed on the buttresses of some of the gigantic mahogany and ceiba trees.

From Project Gutenberg

For size of spurs and wealth of parasites the tree was almost as remarkable as the Ceiba I mentioned just now.

From Project Gutenberg

An enormous old ceiba tree originally stood here, beneath whose branches mass was sometimes performed.

From Project Gutenberg

The ceiba is the sacred tree of the negro, the temple of Jumbi, the proper house of Obeah.

From Project Gutenberg