palˈmīrə, attrib (ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (perhaps influenced by Palmyra, ancient city of Syria) of earlier palmeira, from Portuguese, palm tree, from palma, from Latin
1. or palmyra palm : a tall fan palm ( Borassus flabellifer ) that is native to Africa but widely cultivated in India and that yields a very hard moisture-resistant and insect-resistant wood, a sap rich in sugar and important as a source of palm wine and palm sugar, leaves used especially for thatching and weaving, a coarse fiber similar to piassava, and large edible drupaceous fruits — see bassine
2. or palmyra fiber : bassine