upas

A tall upas tree stands in a dense tropical forest.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large Asian tree: "upas" refers to a tropical tree (Antiaris toxicaria) native to Southeast Asia, known for its poisonous sap.
   • The poisonous sap: The toxic latex obtained from this tree, historically used for poisoning arrows.
   • A harmful or corrupting influence: In figurative language, "upas" can denote a destructive or pernicious force, likened to the tree’s poisonous effects.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The upas tree grows abundantly in the jungles of Java. (The specific tropical tree species.)
  • The natives extracted upas from the bark to coat their blowgun darts. (The poisonous sap used as a toxin.)
  • The corrupt regime was an upas on the nation’s progress. (A harmful influence that stifles growth.)

Advanced Usage

• "upas tree": the tree itself, often used in botanical contexts.

  • The upas tree’s sap is potent enough to kill small animals. (The specific tree’s toxic property.)

• "upas poison": the extracted toxin.

  • Historical records describe upas poison as a deadly weapon. (The poison derived from the tree.)

• "upas effect": a metaphorical term for a devastating influence.

  • The factory’s pollution had an upas effect on the local ecosystem. (A destructive, far-reaching impact.)

Variants and Related Words

• Upas-tree (n): the same tree, often written as a compound.

  • The upas-tree is also called the antjar tree. (Alternative name for the species.)

• Upas poison (n): the toxic substance.

  • Upas poison was used in traditional hunting practices. (The specific poison.)

Synonyms

• Poison tree: a tree that produces toxic substances.
• Noxious sap: harmful liquid from a plant.
• Blight: a destructive force, often metaphorical.
• Scourge: a cause of great suffering or harm.

Phrasal Verbs

(None applicable — "upas" is primarily a noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "The upas tree of corruption": a metaphor for a deeply entrenched, corrupting system.

  • The bureaucracy became the upas tree of corruption, poisoning every reform effort. (A source of pervasive decay.)

• "Under the upas's shadow": under a harmful or oppressive influence.

  • The community lived under the upas’s shadow of the dictator’s rule. (In a state of constant threat or decay.)