Definition

1. Noun:
   • Mother-of-pearl: The hard, iridescent, pearly internal layer found in the shells of certain mollusks, such as oysters and abalone. It is valued for its decorative use in inlay work, jewelry, and ornamentation.
   • Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany): A large tropical tree (genus Khaya) of the mahogany family, known for its valuable, durable timber used in furniture, boat building, and cabinetry.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Mother-of-pearl):
  • Chiếc hộp được khảm xà cừ rất tinh xảo. (The box is inlaid with very intricate mother-of-pearl.)
  • Ánh sáng phản chiếu lên lớp xà cừ tạo ra màu sắc cầu vồng. (The light reflecting off the mother-of-pearl creates rainbow colors.)
• Noun (Tree/Timber):
  • Gỗ xà cừ rất cứng và chống mối mọt tốt. (Khaya wood is very hard and resistant to termites.)
  • Khu rừng này có nhiều cây xà cừ cổ thụ. (This forest has many ancient khaya trees.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "xà cừ" is most commonly understood in everyday Vietnamese to refer to the material mother-of-pearl, especially in the context of arts, crafts, and antiques (e.g., - mother-of-pearl inlaid objects).
• In botanical and woodworking contexts, it specifically refers to the khaya tree and its timber.

Variants and Related Words

• Khảm xà cừ (v/n): To inlay with mother-of-pearl; mother-of-pearl inlay work.
  • Nghệ nhân đang khảm xà cừ lên mặt bàn. (The artisan is inlaying mother-of-pearl onto the tabletop.)
• Gỗ xà cừ (n): Khaya wood, African mahogany timber.
  • Bộ bàn ghế này làm từ gỗ xà cừ nguyên tấm. (This table and chair set is made from solid khaya wood.)

Synonyms

• Mother-of-pearl: Nacre (the technical term).
• Tree/Timber: African mahogany, khaya wood.

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms directly using the word "xà cừ." Its usage is primarily literal, describing the material or the tree.

noun

1. concha