ˈchäntə, -ȯn- noun
( -s )
Etymology: American Spanish, from Quechua chunta palm tree
1. : any of several palms with hard durable wood used in making implements and weapons: as
a. : any of various tropical American palms of the genera Guilielma and Astrocaryum — compare tucum
b. : a palm ( Juania australis ) of the southern Pacific
2. also chontawood -ˌ ̷ ̷ : the wood of a chonta