abaca
(redirected from abacas)Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia.
ab·a·ca
also ab·a·cá (ăb′ə-kä′, ä′bə-)n.
1. A bananalike plant (Musa textilis) native to the Philippines and having broad leaves with long stalks.
2. The fibers obtained from the stalks of this plant, used to make cordage, fabric, and paper. Also called manila, Manila hemp.
[Spanish abacá, from Tagalog abaka.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
abaca
orabaka
n
1. (Plants) a Philippine plant, Musa textilis, related to the banana: family Musaceae. Its leafstalks are the source of Manila hemp
2. (Plants) another name for Manila hemp
[via Spanish from Tagalog abaká]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
a•ba•ca
(ˌæb əˈkɑ, ˌɑ bə-)n., pl. -cas.
1. a Philippine plant, Musa textilis, of the banana family.
2. Also called Manila hemp. Its fiber is used for rope, fabrics, etc.
[1810–20; < Sp < Tagalog abaká]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  abaca - a kind of hemp obtained from the abaca plant in the Philippineshemp - a plant fiber |
| 2. |  abaca - Philippine banana tree having leafstalks that yield Manila hemp used for rope and paper etcbanana, banana tree - any of several tropical and subtropical treelike herbs of the genus Musa having a terminal crown of large entire leaves and usually bearing hanging clusters of elongated fruits |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.