coca

¹

[ koh-kuh ]

noun

1. a shrub, Erythroxylon coca, native to the Andes, having simple, alternate leaves and small yellowish flowers.
2. the dried leaves of this shrub, which are chewed for their stimulant properties and which yield cocaine and other alkaloids.

Coca

²

[ koh-kuh ]

noun

1. Imogene, 1908–2001, U.S. comic actress.

coca

/ ˈkəʊkə /

noun

1. either of two shrubs, Erythroxylon coca or E. truxiuense, native to the Andes: family Erythroxylaceae
2. the dried leaves of these shrubs and related plants, which contain cocaine and are chewed by the peoples of the Andes for their stimulating effects

Word History and Origins

Origin of coca¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Spanish, from Quechua kuka

Word History and Origins

Origin of coca¹

C17: from Spanish, from Quechuan kúka

Example Sentences

Inside their stone corral of llamas and sheep, they dig a hole in the ground, burying coca leaves, meant to represent life, and a clear liquor, representing water.

From Seattle Times

"It's no coincidence that the main attacks on environmentalists take place where there is coca," said Kevin Murakami, Director of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the U.S embassy in Bogota.

From Reuters

Those include coca leaf treatments, celebrations to cleanse evil spirits, and rituals to venerate spirits that protect communities.

From National Geographic

You could say, well, there were coca leaves there and the Chinese invented fireworks, and the Africans were enslaving people, but it never gets real bad until the white people show up.

From Salon

The plan will encourage the voluntary eradication of coca crops, to replace the plants with coffee, cocoa or fruit, and will see the State increase its presence in Colombia's remote regions, the president added.

From Reuters