acacia
acacia Lexical Profile
• noun
Any of various thorny or unarmed trees and shrubs of the genus Acacia (and related genera in the family Fabaceae), native chiefly to Australia, Africa, and tropical regions, characterized by finely divided bipinnate leaves or flattened leaf-like stalks (phyllodes).
"Giraffes on the African savanna use their long, prehensile tongues to browse the topmost leaves of thorny acacia trees."
An ornamental flowering shrub or tree of the genus Acacia, cultivated and used in floristry for its fragrant, fluffy, globular or cylindrical flower clusters of bright yellow, gold, or cream blossoms.
"The florist arranged sprigs of golden acacia blossoms alongside white lilies to brighten the winter bouquet."
Gum arabic, a natural water-soluble gum exuded from the hardened sap of certain species of acacia trees (especially Senegalia senegal), used as a stabilizer in food, pharmaceuticals, and paints.
"In pharmaceutical manufacturing, acacia is commonly added as an emulsifying agent and binder for tablets."
Word Nuance & Usage
In everyday North American and European usage, the black locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia) is frequently referred to as 'false acacia' or simply 'acacia' by florists and beekeepers, even though it belongs to a different genus within the pea family.
• Rhymes for acacia
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Latin from Ancient Greek 'akakia', the name given by Dioscorides to a thorny Egyptian tree, derived from 'ake' meaning 'point' or 'thorn'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.