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cacao
(kə kā′ō, -kä′-)
noun pl. cacaos
- a tropical American tree (Theobroma cacao) of the sterculia family, bearing large, elliptical seedpods
- the nutritious seeds () of this tree, from which cocoa and chocolate are made
Origin: Sp < Nahuatl kakawaλ, cacao seed
See cacao in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. ca·ca·os
- An evergreen tropical American tree (Theobroma cacao) having leathery, ellipsoid, ten-ribbed fruits borne on the trunks and older branches. Also called chocolate tree.
- The seed of this plant, used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter. Also called cacao bean, cocoa bean.
Origin:
Origin: Spanish
Origin: , from Nahuatl cacahuatl
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