palmetto

American  

[pal-met-oh, pahl-, pah-met-oh] / pælˈmɛt oʊ, pɑl-, pɑˈmɛt oʊ /

noun

plural

palmettos, palmettoes

1. any of various palms having fan-shaped leaves, as of the genera Sabal, Serenoa, and Thrinax.

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palmetto British  

/ pælˈmɛtəʊ /

noun

1. any of several small chiefly tropical fan palms, esp any of the genus Sabal, of the southeastern US See also cabbage palmetto saw palmetto

2. any of various other fan palms such as palms of the genera Serenoa, Thrinax, and Chamaerops

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Etymology

Origin of palmetto

1555–65; earlier palmito < Spanish, diminutive of palma palm ²; -etto by association with -ette

Example Sentences

South Carolina’s palm, the Sabal palmetto, arrived in L.A. late in the 19th century, and a striking example grew at Fourth and Main in present-day downtown.

From Los Angeles Times

Then he walked through the palmetto bushes, away from spectators, for more work.

From Seattle Times

There’s not strong evidence for herbal remedies such as saw palmetto.

From Seattle Times

Herbal supplements such as saw palmetto are not currently recommended, although some men say they work for them.

From BBC

Enormous palmetto bugs lived under her bed, scurrying into the open after she doused the lights.

From Seattle Times