Definition

Noun: 1. A type of palm tree: A creeping, semi-aquatic feather palm (Nypa fruticans, formerly genus Nipa) that grows in mangrove swamps and tidal estuaries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. It is valued for its many uses: its sap can be fermented into an alcoholic liquor, its large leaves are used for thatching roofs, and its fruit contains edible seeds.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The dense roots of the nipa palm help stabilize the muddy banks of the estuary.
  • Traditional houses in the region are often roofed with the leaves of the nipa palm.
  • They tapped the nipa palm to collect sap for making vinegar and wine.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term "nipa" is often used attributively to describe products or structures made from the palm.
  • They sat in a nipa hut by the river.
  • The local nipa wine has a distinctive sweet taste.

Variants and Related Words

• Nipa (n): Often used as a shorter, more common name for the nipa palm.
  • The path was shaded by nipa.
• Nypa palm (n): The modern botanical genus name is , so "nypa palm" is a scientific synonym.
• Mangrove palm (n): A descriptive name highlighting its common habitat.

Synonyms

• Nypa fruticans (n): The full scientific name for the species.

Noun

1. any creeping semiaquatic feather palm of the genus Nipa found in mangrove swamps and tidal estuaries; its sap is used for a liquor; leaves are used for thatch; fruit has edible seeds