A type of Philippine palm tree, or the fiber obtained from this tree used in weaving and rope-making.
From Tagalog 'abacá' (also spelled 'abaka'), referring to a Manila hemp plant. The word entered English and European languages through Spanish colonial traders in the Philippines.
Abacay fiber became the original 'Manila hemp' used globally for rope and ship rigging—and it's actually stronger than true hemp! The Philippines became world-dominant in this export, and the plant's name reveals the colonial geography of global trade.
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