khat

British  

/ kɑːt, kæt /

noun

1. a white-flowered evergreen shrub, Catha edulis, of Africa and Arabia, whose leaves have narcotic properties

2. the leaves of this shrub, chewed or prepared as a drink

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Etymology

Origin of khat

C19: from Arabic qāt

Example Sentences

Cathinone’s occurrence in khat plants, however, does raise one intriguing question: Could these plants contain hidden fungal partners that are actually the engineers behind the compounds?

From Scientific American • May 27, 2021

Landowners had been cutting back on laborers in the khat fields as the increasing price of fuel, used to power water pumps, raised production costs.

From Washington Post • Dec. 25, 2018

Markets where khat leaves and shoots are sold were empty on Monday and pro-government forces prevented vehicles carrying them from entering the city.

From BBC • May 16, 2016

It would also be seen as a betrayal by Kenya, where growing khat is a big source of income in some areas, the panel added.

From Reuters • Nov. 29, 2013

There it is the term in every-day use for any rough bedstead, such as the natives sleep on and call a khat.

From Concerning Animals and Other Matters by Aitken, Edward Hamilton