tonka bean
[ tong-kuh ]
/ ˈtɒŋ kə /
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noun
the fragrant, black almond-shaped seed of a tall tree belonging to the genus Dipteryx (or Coumarouna), of the legume family, especially D. odorata, of tropical South America, used in perfumes, as a source of coumarin, and as a substitute for vanilla.
the tree itself.
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Origin of tonka bean
1790–1800; tonka probably <Tupi tõka
Words nearby tonka bean
tonic pupil, tonic sol-fa, tonic spasm, tonight, tonk, tonka bean, Tonkin, Tonkinese, Tonle Sap, tonlet, ton-mile
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for tonka bean
British Dictionary definitions for tonka bean
tonka bean
/ (ˈtɒŋkə) /
noun
a tall leguminous tree, Coumarouna odorata, of tropical America, having fragrant black almond-shaped seeds
the seeds of this tree, used in the manufacture of perfumes, snuff, etc
Word Origin for tonka bean
C18: probably from Tupi tonka
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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