myrobalan

[ mahy-rob-uh-luhn, mi- ]

noun

1. the dried plumlike fruit of certain tropical trees of the genus Phyllanthus, used in dyeing, tanning, and making ink.
2. cherry plum.

myrobalan

/ maɪˈrɒbələn; mɪ- /

noun

1. the dried plumlike fruit of various tropical trees of the genus Terminalia, used in dyeing, tanning, ink, and medicine
2. a dye extracted from this fruit
3. another name for cherry plum

Word History and Origins

Origin of myrobalan¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin myrobalanum < Greek myrobálanos kind of fruit, equivalent to mýro ( n ) balsam + bálanos acorn

Word History and Origins

Origin of myrobalan¹

C16: via Latin from Greek murobalanos, from muron ointment + balanos acorn

Example Sentences

Hornbeam, beech, myrobalan or cherry plum and blackthorn also have their advantages, hornbeam being proof against great exposure, blackthorn thriving on poor land and possessing great impenetrability and so on.

From Project Gutenberg

There are many myrobalans of all sorts, and very good preserves are made with them, which the ships of Ormuz, which traffic at this place, export for the Arabs and Persians.

From Project Gutenberg

Such liberation is not cognised in perception like an emblic myrobalan fruit in the hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Uses.—The ripe fruit, called myrobalans in India, is purgative and six of them pounded up and given in decoction operate with certainty, producing 4 or 5 copious evacuations without nausea or other disagreeable symptoms.

From Project Gutenberg

The stamps are usually covered with a black ink made of sulphate of iron, and this is fixed by myrobalans; the Nīlgars usually dye a plain blue with indigotin.

From Project Gutenberg