acacia

aca·cia

noun \ə-ˈkā-shə\

Definition of ACACIA

1

: gum arabic

2

: any of a large genus (Acacia) of leguminous shrubs and trees of warm regions with leaves pinnate or reduced to phyllodes and white or yellow flower clusters

Origin of ACACIA

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, acacia tree, from Greek akakia

First Known Use: 14th century

aca·cia

noun \ə-ˈkā-shə\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ACACIA

1

capitalized : a genus of woody leguminous plants of warm regions having pinnate leaves and white or yellow flower clusters—see catechu

2

: any of the genus Acacia of leguminous plants

3

: gum arabic

acacia

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of the approximately 800 species of trees and shrubs that make up the genus Acacia, in the family Fabaceae. Acacias are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly Australia and Africa. Sweet acacia (A. farnesiana) is native to the southwestern U.S. Acacias have distinctive, finely divided leaflets, and their leafstalks may bear thorns or sharp spines at their base. Their small, often fragrant, yellow or white flowers have many stamens apiece, giving each a fuzzy appearance. On the plains of southern and eastern Africa, acacias are common features of the landscape. Several species are important economically, yielding substances such as gum arabic and tannin, as well as valuable timber.