Definition of Tonka bean

1. Noun. Fragrant black nutlike seeds of the tonka bean tree; used in perfumes and medicines and as a substitute for vanilla.

Exact synonyms: Coumara Nut
Generic synonyms: Bean

2. Noun. Tall tropical South American tree having pulpy egg-shaped pods of fragrant black almond-shaped seeds used for flavoring.

Definition of Tonka bean

1. Noun. The black wrinkled seed of ''Dipteryx odorata'', a neotropical legume tree, used as a perfume and vanilla substitute. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Tonka bean

1. The seed of a leguminous tree (Dipteryx odorata), native of Guiana. It has a peculiarly agreeable smell, and is employed in the scenting of snuff. Called also tiononquin bean. Alternative forms: tonca bean, tonga bean. Origin: Cf. F. Onca, tonka. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tonka Bean

tonight
tonights
tonin
toning
tonings
tonish
tonishly
tonite
tonites
tonitrophobia
tonitruate
tonitruated
tonitruates
tonitruating
tonk
tonka bean
tonka bean tree
tonka beans
tonkatsu
tonked
tonker
tonkers
tonking
tonks
tonlet
tonlets
tonnag
tonnage
tonnage duty
tonnages

Literary usage of Tonka bean

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Tropical Agriculture: The Climate, Soils, Cultural Methods, Crops, Live by Earley Vernon Wilcox (1916)
"The resins in certain species of fir and croton have also been used for the same purpose under the name frankincense. tonka bean The tonka bean comes from a ..."

2. Food Inspection and Analysis: For the Use of Public Analysts, Health by Albert Ernest Leach (1920)
"Tonka extract is the flavoring extract prepared from tonka bean, with or without sugar or glycerin, and contains not less than 0.1% by weight of coumarin ..."

3. The Chemistry of Common Life by James Finlay Weir Johnston, Arthur Herbert Church (1891)
"The tonka bean ; coumarin, the odoriferous principle of this bean.—The same principle in vernal grass, melilot, and other plants.—Gives fragrance to hay. ..."

4. Food Inspection and Analysis: For the Use of Public Analysts, Health by Albert Ernest Leach (1920)
"The Adulteration of Vanilla Extract consists chiefly in the use of coumarin or extract of the tonka bean, and in the substitution of artificial vanillin, ..."

5. The Microscopy of Vegetable Foods: With Special Reference to the Detection by Andrew Lincoln Winton, Josef Moeller, Kate Grace Barber Winton (1916)
"tonka bean. South America produces the larger part of the Tonka or Tonquin beans of commerce, the chief ports of shipment being Angostura in Venezuela, ..."

6. Annual Report by Indiana State Board of Health (1910)
"Tonka extract Is the flavoring extract prepared from tonka bean, with or without sugar or glycerin, and contains not less than one- tenth (0.1) per cent, ..."

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