Word Study
Rattan
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun Rattan has 3 senses
- rattan(n = noun.plant) calamus rotang, rattan palm - climbing palm of Sri Lanka and southern India remarkable for the great length of the stems which are used for malacca canes; Array has parts: malacca
- rattan(n = noun.plant) rattan cane - the stem of various climbing palms of the genus Calamus and related genera used to make wickerwork and furniture and canes; Array is a kind of cane
- rattan(n = noun.artifact) ratan - a switch made from the stems of the rattan palms; Array is a kind of switch
is a kind of calamus
CIDE DICTIONARY
Rattan, n. [Malay r.].
One of the long slender flexible stems of several species of palms of the genus Calamus , mostly East Indian, though some are African and Australian. They are exceedingly tough, and are used for walking sticks, wickerwork, chairs and seats of chairs, cords and cordage, and many other purposes. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Rattan, n. (also ratan)
1 any East Indian climbing palm of the genus Calamus etc. with long thin jointed pliable stems.
2 a piece of rattan stem used as a walking stick etc.
1 any East Indian climbing palm of the genus Calamus etc. with long thin jointed pliable stems.
2 a piece of rattan stem used as a walking stick etc.
Etymology
earlier rot(t)ang f. Malay rotan prob. f. raut pare
ROGET THESAURUS
Rattan
Scourge
N scourge, rod, cane, stick, ratan, rattan, birch, birch rod, azote, blacksnake, bullwhack, chicote, kurbash, quirt, rawhide, sjambok, rod in pickle, switch, ferule, cudgel, truncheon, whip, bullwhip, lash, strap, thong, cowhide, knout, cat, cat o'nine tails, rope's end, pillory, stocks, whipping post, cucking stool, ducking stool, brank, trebuchet, trebuket, triangle, wooden horse, iron maiden, thumbscrew, boot, rack, wheel, iron heel, chinese water torture, treadmill, crank, galleys, scaffold, block, ax, guillotine, stake, cross, gallows, gibbet, tree, drop, noose, rope, halter, bowstring, death chair, electric chair, gas chamber, lethal injection, firing squad, mecate, house of correction, goaler, jailer, executioner, electrocutioner, lyncher, hangman, headsman, Jack Ketch.
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