tonka bean
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.
Origin of tonka bean
1Words Nearby tonka bean
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How to use tonka bean in a sentence
It can be obtained from the tonka bean by extraction with alcohol.
This flavoring is made from the tonka-bean, which contains a deadly poison.
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British Dictionary definitions for tonka bean
/ (ˈtɒŋkə) /
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
Origin of tonka bean
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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