soapbark

[ sohp-bahrk ]

noun
  1. a Chilean tree, Quillaja saponaria, of the rose family, having evergreen leaves and small, white flowers.

  2. the inner bark of this tree, used as a substitute for soap.

Origin of soapbark

1
First recorded in 1860–65; soap + bark2

Words Nearby soapbark

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British Dictionary definitions for soapbark

soapbark

/ (ˈsəʊpˌbɑːk) /


noun
  1. Also called: quillai a W South American rosaceous tree, Quillaja saponaria, with undivided evergreen leaves and small white flowers

  2. Also called: quillai bark the inner bark of this tree, formerly used as soap and as a source of saponin

  1. any of several trees or shrubs that have a bark similar to this

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