abaca

[ab-uh-kah, ah-buh-] /ˌæb əˈkɑ, ˌɑ bə-/
noun
1.
a Philippine plant, Musa textilis.
2.
the fiber of this plant, used in making rope, fabrics, etc.
Origin
1810-20; < Spanish < Tagalog abaká
Examples from the web for abaca
  • However, this has also been a period where tobacco and abaca production improved.
  • abaca fiber is the leading raw material for export-oriented handicrafts and is also an input to the pulp and paper industries.
British Dictionary definitions for abaca

abaca

/ˈæbəkə/
noun
1.
a Philippine plant, Musa textilis, related to the banana: family Musaceae. Its leafstalks are the source of Manila hemp
2.
another name for Manila hemp
Word Origin
via Spanish from Tagalog abaká
Encyclopedia Article for abaca

Manila hemp

plant of the family Musaceae, and its fibre, which is second in importance among the leaf fibre group. Abaca fibre, unlike most other leaf fibres, is obtained from the plant leaf stalks (petioles). Although sometimes known as Manila hemp, Cebu hemp, or Davao hemp, the abaca plant is not related to true hemp.

Learn more about Manila hemp with a free trial on Britannica.com