Word Study
upas
CIDE DICTIONARY
upas, n. [Malay p; p a tree + poison.].
- A tree (
Antiaris toxicaria ) of the Breadfruit family, common in the forests of Java and the neighboring islands. Its secretions are poisonous, and it has been fabulously reported that the atmosphere about it is deleterious. Called alsobohun upas . [1913 Webster] - A virulent poison used in Java and the adjacent islands for poisoning arrows. One kind,
upas antiar , is derived from the upas tree (Antiaris toxicaria ).Upas tieute is prepared from a climbing plant (Strychnos Tieute ). [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
upas, n.
1 (in full upas-tree) a a Javanese tree, Antiaris toxicaria, yielding a milky sap used as arrow-poison. b Mythol. a Javanese tree thought to be fatal to whatever came near it. c a pernicious influence, practice, etc.
2 the poisonous sap of upas and other trees.
1 (in full upas-tree) a a Javanese tree, Antiaris toxicaria, yielding a milky sap used as arrow-poison. b Mythol. a Javanese tree thought to be fatal to whatever came near it. c a pernicious influence, practice, etc.
2 the poisonous sap of upas and other trees.
Etymology
Malay upas poison
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