babul
|ba-bul|
/ˈbɑːbʊl/
Indian/ African acacia tree
Etymology
'babul' originates from Hindi-Urdu, specifically the word 'bābul' (बाबूल/بابول), ultimately borrowed from Sanskrit roots referring to similar thorny trees.
'babul' was adopted into English during the period of British contact with South Asia (18th–19th century) from Hindi-Urdu 'bābul' and has been used in English botanical and local contexts since then.
Initially, the word referred to the local South Asian/African thorn tree; over time it has retained that botanical meaning in English with little change, though it is mainly used in regional or specialized contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a thorny tree of the genus Vachellia (formerly Acacia), especially Vachellia nilotica, native to Africa and South Asia; its wood, bark, or gum (used for timber, tannin, fuel, etc.).
The villagers cut branches from a babul to make charcoal.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/24 04:45