poon

[ poon ]

noun

1. any of several East Indian trees of the genus Calophyllum, that yield a light, hard wood used for masts, spars, etc.
2. the wood of these trees.

poon

¹

/ puːn /

noun

1. slang.
   a stupid or ineffectual person

poon

²

/ puːn /

noun

1. any of several trees of the SE Asian genus Calophyllum having lightweight hard wood and shiny leathery leaves: family Clusiaceae
2. the wood of any of these trees, used to make masts and spars

Word History and Origins

Origin of poon¹

1690–1700; compare Tamil punnai, pinnai, Malayalam punna names for Calophyllum inophyllum

Word History and Origins

Origin of poon¹

C20: from English dialect

Origin of poon²

C17: from Singhalese pūna

Example Sentences

Yes, I was b-b-orn with a s-s-s-ilver s-s-poon in my m-m-m-outh.

From Project Gutenberg

Breaking a thick branch off a poon tree he whittled away the minor stems.

From Project Gutenberg

He halted beside a small poon-tree, and stooped to find something embedded near its roots.

From Project Gutenberg

The rifle was fired by means of the string, the loose coils of which were secreted at the foot of the poon.

From Project Gutenberg