manaca

noun

man·​a·​ca

ˈmanə̇kə

variants or manacan

-kən

or less commonly manaca root

plural -s

: the dried root of a shrub (Brunfelsia hopeana) of Brazil and the West Indies that has been used to treat rheumatism and syphilis

called also vegetable mercury

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese manacá, from Tupi

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