tonka bean

Noun
Synonyms: coumara nuttonka bean treeCoumarouna odorataDipteryx odorata

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)

  1. fragrant black nutlike seeds of the tonka bean tree; used in perfumes and medicines and as a substitute for vanillaSynonyms: coumara nutType of bean
  2. tall tropical South American tree having pulpy egg-shaped pods of fragrant black almond-shaped seeds used for flavoringSynonyms: tonka bean treeCoumarouna odorataDipteryx odorataType of bean treeMember of Coumarouna, genus Coumarouna
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Ton′ka bean′.

Origin: Cf. F. onca, tonka.

Botany The seed of a leguminous tree (Dipteryx odorata), native of Guiana. It has a peculiarly agreeable smell, and is employed in the scenting of snuff. Called also tonquin bean. [Written also tonca bean, tonga bean.]

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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