A tropical Indian tree (Hardwickia binata) known for its hard wood, used for building and making tools.
From Hindi 'anjan', the native name for the tree in India. The word entered English colonial vocabulary as European settlers encountered this valuable timber in South Asia.
The anjan tree was so valued during the British colonial period that entire forests were cleared to ship its wood back to England for shipbuilding and construction. Its wood is so dense it barely floats—you'd think it was stone!
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