bombax

noun

bom·​bax
ˈbämˌbaks
1
capitalized : a large genus of trees (family Bombacaceae) chiefly of South America, a few of India, and one of Africa having digitate leaves and showy white or scarlet flowers compare ceiba
2
plural -es : any tree of the genus Bombax

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (Linnaeus), going back to Medieval Latin bambax, bombax "cotton plant, cotton fiber"

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Cite this Entry

“Bombax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombax. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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