Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "catechu" [cat•e•chu]

  • A spiny Asian tree (Acacia catechu) having bipinnately compound leaves, spikes of yellow flowers, and dark heartwood. (noun)
  • A raw material obtained from the heartwood of this plant, used in the preparation of tannins and brown dyes. Also called cutch. (noun)
  • See betel palm. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "catechu" in a sentence
  • "The manufacture of catechu from the _Acacia catechu_ as practised in Canara and Behar, has been described by Mr. Kerr ( "Med."
  • "The term catechu, observes Dr. Pereira, is applied to various astringent extracts imported from India and the neighbouring countries."
  • "They are no more alike than the terms _catechist_ — one who instructs by questions and answers, and the term catechu — a dry, brown astringent extract."