apitong
|a-pi-tong|
🇺🇸
/əˈpiːtɔŋ/
🇬🇧
/əˈpiːtɒŋ/
Southeast Asian hardwood (tree/timber)
Etymology
'apitong' originates from Philippine languages (Tagalog/Visayan), specifically the word 'apitong', where 'apitong' meant 'the local name for a large timber tree'.
'apitong' entered English via botanical and trade reports from Southeast Asia during the 19th century and was adopted into English usage largely unchanged from the local name.
Initially it meant 'the local name for the tree/timber', and over time it has retained that same sense in English usage as the name of the species and its wood.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a large tropical tree of the family Dipterocarpaceae (commonly Dipterocarpus species) native to Southeast Asia.
Apitong trees are common in lowland forests of the Philippines and Indonesia.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the timber/wood of the apitong tree, valued for its strength and used in shipbuilding, decking, and heavy construction.
The builders preferred apitong for decking because of its durability.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/18 06:40