Definition

1. Noun:
   • Palmyra palm: A tall, straight-trunked palm tree (Borassus flabellifer) native to South and Southeast Asia, including southern Vietnam. It is characterized by a cylindrical trunk, large fan-shaped leaves clustered at the top, and spherical fruit. It is economically important for producing sugar, sap for beverages, and various other products.
   • A geographical name: Refers to Thốt Nốt District or Thốt Nốt Town in Cần Thơ Province, Vietnam.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Plant):
  • Đường thốt nốt có hương vị rất đặc biệt. (Palmyra sugar has a very distinctive flavor.)
  • Những cây thốt nốt cao vút là hình ảnh quen thuộc ở miền Tây. (The towering palmyra palms are a familiar sight in the Mekong Delta.)
• Noun (Place):
  • Chợ nổi Thốt Nốt rất nhộn nhịp. (The Thốt Nốt floating market is very bustling.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used as a common noun for the tree and its products. When capitalized ("Thốt Nốt"), it specifically denotes the administrative district or town.

Variants and Related Words

• Đường thốt nốt: Palmyra sugar, a natural sugar made from the sap of the palmyra palm.
• Nước thốt nốt: The fresh or fermented sap (toddy) collected from the palmyra palm flower, consumed as a beverage.
• Trái thốt nốt / Quả thốt nốt: The fruit of the palmyra palm.

Synonyms

• Palmyra palm: The most direct English equivalent.
• Sugar palm: A common name highlighting its use for sugar production.
• Borassus flabellifer: The scientific botanical name.

Related Cultural Context

• The palmyra palm is a culturally and economically significant tree in the Mekong Delta region. Almost every part of the tree is utilized: the trunk for timber, leaves for thatching and weaving, sap for sugar and wine, and fruit for food.
• The name of Thốt Nốt District is derived from this tree, indicating its prevalence in the area.

noun

1. palmyra