tucum

noun

tu·​cum
tüˈküm
variants or less commonly tucuma
-mə
plural -s
1
or less commonly tucum palm
a
: any of several chiefly Brazilian palms of the genus Astrocaryum (especially A. tucuma) with leaf bases that yield a coarse fiber used especially for cordage and hats and with seeds that yield an edible oil
b
: a low spiny Brazilian palm (Bactris setosa) with leaves that yield a long strong fiber held to resemble wool and used locally for bags or other containers, fishing nets, and shoemakers' twines
2
: the fiber of a tucum

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese tucumā, from Tupi tucumá

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Cite this Entry

“Tucum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tucum. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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