释义 |
cat·e·chu \ˈkad.əˌchü, -ˌshü, -ˌkyü\ noun (-s) Etymology: probably modification of Malay kachu, of Dravidian origin; akin to Tamil & Kanarese kācu, Malayalam kāccu 1. : any of various dry, earthy, or resinous astringent substances obtained by extraction and evaporation from the wood, leaves, or fruits of various tropical Asiatic plants: as a. : an extract of the heartwood of an East Indian acacia that is used for dyeing, tanning, preserving fish nets and sails, and formerly in medicine — called also black catechu b. : gambier — see dye table I (under Natural Brown 3) c. : cutch I 2 2. : an East Indian spiny tree (Acacia catechu) that has twice-pinnate leaves, yellow flowers, and flat pods and is the source of catechu 3. : a variable color averaging auburn — called also cutch |