baobab
/ˈbeɪ.oʊˌbæb/
noun
Origin
Arabic
bū ḥibāb — father of many seeds/fruit
Overview
Meaning Now
- A large, long-lived tropical deciduous tree of the genus Adansonia, native to Africa, Madagascar, and Australia, characterized by a massive trunk and fruit that hangs on long stalks.
Language path
Arabic → French → English
Earliest form
baobab
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The baobab is often called the 'tree of life' due to its ability to store massive amounts of water in its trunk, allowing it to survive in arid environments. It has been central to human survival in sub-Saharan Africa for centuries.
Evolution
- 16th century
buhibab
“the baobab tree”
Arabic descriptive term for the fruit-bearing tree.
- 17th century
baobab
“the tree Adansonia digitata”
Adopted into French from travelers describing the flora of Senegal.
Connections
Word parts
baobab
root
the specific tree species
Related across languages
French
baobab tree
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Related to baobab
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.