myrobalan

American  

[mahy-rob-uh-luhn, mi-] / maɪˈrɒb ə lən, mɪ- /

noun

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

2. cherry plum.

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myrobalan British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of myrobalan

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

Example Sentences

A little powdered harra or myrobalan acts as an aperient.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India - Volume IV of IV Kumhar-Yemkala by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)

Is there more than one variety of myrobalan used, and if so, is one as good as another?

From One Thousand Questions in California Agriculture Answered by Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James)

One seedling of the cherry plum is about as good a myrobalan as another.

From One Thousand Questions in California Agriculture Answered by Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James)

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 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 2 "Hearing" to "Helmond" by Various

The apricot does well enough on the myrobalan if the soil needs that root; they are usually larger on the peach root or on apricot seedlings.

From One Thousand Questions in California Agriculture Answered by Wickson, Edward J. (Edward James)