Catechus

/ˈkætɪkəs/ noun

Definition

An archaic or variant spelling of catechu; a brown astringent extract from acacia trees used in tanning, dyeing, and medicine.

Etymology

A variant or Latinized form of 'catechu,' representing an older English spelling before the modern standardization of the Hindi loanword.

Kelly Says

Catechus represents how English spellings were fluid before standardization—different merchants and writers spelled the same imported commodity different ways, showing how language changes as words travel along trade routes.

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