Word Study
rattan
CIDE DICTIONARY
rattan, n. [Malay r.].
One of the long slender flexible stems of several species of palms of the genus Calamus , mostly East Indian, though some are African and Australian. They are exceedingly tough, and are used for walking sticks, wickerwork, chairs and seats of chairs, cords and cordage, and many other purposes. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
rattan, n. (also ratan)
1 any East Indian climbing palm of the genus Calamus etc. with long thin jointed pliable stems.
2 a piece of rattan stem used as a walking stick etc.
1 any East Indian climbing palm of the genus Calamus etc. with long thin jointed pliable stems.
2 a piece of rattan stem used as a walking stick etc.
Etymology
earlier rot(t)ang f. Malay rotan prob. f. raut pare
ROGET THESAURUS
rattan
Scourge
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