piassava

[ pee-uh-sah-vuh ]

noun

1. Also called monkey grass. a coarse, woody fiber obtained from either of two palms, Leopoldina piassaba or Attalea funifera, of South America, used in making brooms, mats, etc.
2. either of these trees.

piassava

/ ˌpiːəˈsɑːbə; ˌpiːəˈsɑːvə /

noun

1. either of two South American palm trees, Attalea funifera or Leopoldinia piassaba
2. the coarse fibre obtained from either of these trees, used to make brushes and rope

Word History and Origins

Origin of piassava¹

1825–35; < Portuguese < Tupi piaçaba

Word History and Origins

Origin of piassava¹

C19: via Portuguese from Tupi piaçaba

Example Sentences

"Exports of Sierra Leone are ginger, piassava, pepper, cocoa, coffee, oil palm…"

From BBC

They go into the bush for ivory, ebony, piassava, and dye-woods, and carry them for days to find sale for them.

From Project Gutenberg

Attale�a, a genus of American palms, comprising the piassava palm, which produces coquilla-nuts.

From Project Gutenberg

The harbour is one of the best in South America; and the export trade, chiefly in sugar, cotton, coffee, tobacco, hides, piassava, and tapioca, is very extensive.

From Project Gutenberg

Palm, or piassava fibre, derived from the piassava palm, is used in the manufacture of brooms, brushes, &c.

From Project Gutenberg