piassava
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pi·as·sa·va
(pē′ə-sä′və) also pi·as·sa·ba (-sä′bə)n.
1. Either of two South American palm trees, Attalea funifera or Leopoldinia piassaba, from which a strong coarse fiber is obtained.
2. The fiber of either of these plants, formerly widely used for making ropes, brushes, and brooms.
[Portuguese, from Tupí pïa'sawa.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
piassava
(ˌpiːəˈsɑːvə) orpiassaba
n
1. (Plants) either of two South American palm trees, Attalea funifera or Leopoldinia piassaba
2. (Textiles) the coarse fibre obtained from either of these trees, used to make brushes and rope
[C19: via Portuguese from Tupi piaçaba]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
pi•as•sa•va
(ˌpi əˈsɑ və)also pi•as•sa•ba
(-ˈsɑ və, -bə)n., pl. -vas also -bas.
1. a coarse, woody fiber obtained from either of two palms, Leopoldina piassaba or Attalea funifera, of South America: used in making brooms, mats, etc.
2. either of these trees.
[1825–35; < Portuguese < Tupi piaçaba]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.