[syn: Raffia, genus Raffia, Raphia, genus Raphia]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Raffia \Raf"fi*a\ (r[a^]f"f[i^]*[.a]), n. (Bot.)
A fibrous material used for tying plants, said to come from
the leaves of a palm tree of the genus Raphia. --J. Smith
(Dict. Econ. Plants).
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
raffia
n 1: leaf fibers of the raffia palm tree; used to make baskets
and mats etc. [syn: raffia, raphia]
2: fiber of a raffia palm used as light cordage and in making
hats and baskets
3: feather palm of tropical Africa and Madagascar and Central
and South America widely grown for commercial purposes [syn:
Raffia, genus Raffia, Raphia, genus Raphia]