sapindaceous

[sap-in-dey-shuhs]

adjective

1. belonging to the Sapindaceae, the soapberry family of plants.

sapindaceous

/ ˌsæpɪnˈdeɪʃəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Sapindaceae, a tropical and subtropical family of trees, shrubs, and lianas including the soapberry, litchi, and supplejack

Word History and Origins

Origin of sapindaceous¹

1835–45; < New Latin Sapindace ( ae ) name of the family ( Sapind ( us ) the type genus ( Latin sāp ( ō ) soap + Indus Indian) + -aceae -aceae ) + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of sapindaceous¹

C19: via New Latin from Latin sāpō soap + Indus Indian

Example Sentences

Akee, a-kē′, n. the fruit of a small African sapindaceous tree, now common in the West Indies.

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Melicocca bijuga.—This sapindaceous tree is plentiful in tropical America and the West Indies, and is known as the Genip tree.

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Paullinia sorbilis.—The seeds of this climbing sapindaceous plant furnish the famous guarana of the Amazon and its principal tributaries.

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Nephelium litchi.—This sapindaceous tree produces one of the valued indigenous fruits of China.

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Pappea capensis.—A small tree of the soapberry or sapindaceous family, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, where the fruit is known as the wild plum, from the pulp of which a vinous beverage and excellent vinegar are prepared, and an eatable, though slightly purgative, oil is extracted from the seeds.

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