Langimage
English

teak

|teak|

B2

/tiːk/

durable tropical wood

Etymology
Etymology Information

'teak' originates from Portuguese, specifically the word 'teca', which was derived from Malayalam 'tēkka', where 'tēkka' referred to the teak tree.

Historical Evolution

'tēkka' transformed into the Portuguese word 'teca', and eventually became the modern English word 'teak'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred specifically to the tree, but over time it evolved to also mean the wood derived from the tree.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a tropical hardwood tree native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its durable and water-resistant wood.

The furniture was made from high-quality teak.

Synonyms

Noun 2

the wood of the teak tree, often used in shipbuilding and for making furniture.

Teak is often used for outdoor furniture due to its resistance to weather.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/07/20 08:27