Rattan (Noun)
Meaning 1
Climbing palm of Sri Lanka and southern India remarkable for the great length of the stems which are used for malacca canes.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The villagers of Sri Lanka have long used the rattan to craft durable and resistant canes.
- Rattan stems can grow up to 200 meters long, making them one of the longest climbing palms in the region.
- The Malabar region in southern India is particularly famous for its high-quality rattan, which is highly sought after for making malacca canes.
- In traditional Sri Lankan furniture-making, rattan is often combined with other materials to create beautiful and sturdy pieces.
- Rattan has been a valuable resource for the local communities in southern India, providing a sustainable source of income through the production of malacca canes.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
The stem of various climbing palms of the genus Calamus and related genera used to make wickerwork and furniture and canes.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Synonyms
Meaning 3
A switch made from the stems of the rattan palms.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The old-fashioned rattan was used to discipline children in past centuries.
- Her grandmother used a rattan to spank her whenever she misbehaved as a child.
- The thick rattan inflicted painful welts on the boy's buttocks after just a few strikes.
- In the 19th century, a rattan was a common tool used by teachers to maintain classroom discipline.
- Although no longer widely used, the rattan remains a symbol of authority and punishment in many cultures.