Kapok

//ˈkeɪpɒk// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A silky fibre obtained from seed pods of the silk-cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) used for insulation and stuffing for mattresses, pillows, etc. countable, uncountable

    "The moon came out of hiding and for a moment Jerry forgot his anxiety as a little grey-clad figure, small and sturdy [...], in a kapok coat and bulging proletarian cap, lowered himself over the side and leapt for the waiting arms of the sampan's crew."

  2. 2
    massive tropical tree with deep ridges on its massive trunk and bearing large pods of seeds covered with silky floss; source of the silky kapok fiber wordnet
  3. 3
    A silk-cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra). countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    a plant fiber from the kapok tree; used for stuffing and insulation wordnet
  5. 5
    A cotton tree, Malabar silk-cotton tree, or red silk-cotton tree (Bombax ceiba). countable, uncountable

Etymology

Borrowed from Malay kapuk (“silky fibre from the silk-cotton tree; Ceiba pentandra”).

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