sapindaceous

[ sap-in-dey-shuhs ]

adjective

1. belonging to the Sapindaceae, the soapberry family of plants.

sapindaceous

/ ˌsæpɪnˈdeɪʃəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Sapindaceae, a tropical and subtropical family of trees, shrubs, and lianas including the soapberry, litchi, and supplejack

Word History and Origins

Origin of sapindaceous¹

1835–45; < New Latin Sapindace ( ae ) name of the family ( Sapind ( us ) the type genus ( Latin sāp ( ō ) soap + Indus Indian) + -aceae -aceae ) + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of sapindaceous¹

C19: via New Latin from Latin sāpō soap + Indus Indian

Example Sentences

Akee, a-kē′, n. the fruit of a small African sapindaceous tree, now common in the West Indies.

From Project Gutenberg

Melicocca bijuga.—This sapindaceous tree is plentiful in tropical America and the West Indies, and is known as the Genip tree.

From Project Gutenberg

Paullinia sorbilis.—The seeds of this climbing sapindaceous plant furnish the famous guarana of the Amazon and its principal tributaries.

From Project Gutenberg

Nephelium litchi.—This sapindaceous tree produces one of the valued indigenous fruits of China.

From Project Gutenberg

Pappea capensis.—A small tree of the soapberry or sapindaceous family, a native of the Cape of Good Hope, where the fruit is known as the wild plum, from the pulp of which a vinous beverage and excellent vinegar are prepared, and an eatable, though slightly purgative, oil is extracted from the seeds.

From Project Gutenberg