Definition

1. Noun:
   • A material: The stems of certain climbing palms, especially of the genus Calamus, which are tough, flexible, and used for making furniture, baskets, and canes.
   • A plant: Any of various climbing palms of tropical Asia and Africa, known for their long, slender, jointed stems.
   • An object: A switch or cane made from the stem of such a palm.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Material):
  • The chair was woven from durable rattan.
  • They used rattan to make the basket.
• Noun (Plant):
  • Rattan palms climb high into the forest canopy.
• Noun (Object):
  • The old-fashioned schoolmaster kept a rattan for discipline.

Advanced Usage

• "Rattan work": The craft or product of making items from rattan.
  • She specializes in traditional rattan work.
• "Rattan furniture": Furniture constructed from rattan material.
  • The patio is furnished with comfortable rattan furniture.

Variants and Related Words

• Ratan: An alternative spelling for rattan.
• Rattan cane: A specific type of walking stick or disciplinary cane made from rattan.
  • He walked with a polished rattan cane.

Synonyms

• Cane: Can refer to the stem of certain plants or an object made from it, similar to rattan.
• Wicker: A term for flexible twigs or stems woven together, often including rattan.

Related Phrases

• To be given the rattan: An old-fashioned expression meaning to be caned or punished.
  • In that strict academy, misbehaving students could be given the rattan.

Noun

1. a switch made from the stems of the rattan palms
2. the stem of various climbing palms of the genus Calamus and related genera used to make wickerwork and furniture and canes
3. climbing palm of Sri Lanka and southern India remarkable for the great length of the stems which are used for malacca canes