Manila hemp

American  

noun

1. a fibrous material made from the leafstalks of the abacá, Musa textilis, used for making ropes, fabrics, etc.

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Manila hemp British  

noun

1. a fibre obtained from the plant abaca, used for rope, paper, etc

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Etymology

Origin of Manila hemp

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Manila hemp

The stalk contains 10-20% of a fiber that is superior to cotton and linen intensile strength, second only to Manila hemp.

From Time Magazine Archive

Manila hemp comes from abaca, a plant much like the one bananas grow on.

From Time Magazine Archive

Manila rope—A rope made from Manila hemp, a fibrous material which is obtained from the leaves of plants which grow in the Philippine Islands.

From Scouting For Girls, Official Handbook of the Girl Scouts by Bacon, Josephine Dodge Daskam

You must be one part grace, one force, one agility, and the rest caoutchouc, Manila hemp, and watch-spring.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 09, No. 51, January, 1862 by Various

Their third source of wealth, their main staple, is the world-famous Manila hemp.

From The American Occupation of the Philippines 1898-1912 by Blount, James H.