betel

be·tel

noun \ˈbē-t^əl\

Definition of BETEL

: a climbing pepper (Piper betle) of southeastern Asia whose leaves are chewed together with betel nut and mineral lime as a stimulant masticatory

Origin of BETEL

Portuguese bétele, from Tamil veṟṟilai

First Known Use: 1553

Rhymes with BETEL

beetle, chaetal, fetal

be·tel

noun \ˈbēt-^əl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BETEL

: a climbing pepper (Piper betle) of southeastern Asia whose leaves are chewed together with betel nut and mineral lime as a stimulant masticatory

betel

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

The betel nut, seed of the areca palm (Areca catechu)—Wayne Lukas–Group IV—The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers

Either of two different plants that are widely used in combination for chewing purposes in southern Asia and the East Indies. The betel nut is the seed of the areca, or betel, palm (Areca catechu), family Palmae; the betel leaf is from the betel pepper, or pan plant (Piper betle), family Piperaceae. For chewing, a small piece of the areca palm's fruit is wrapped in a leaf of the betel pepper, along with a pellet of lime to cause salivation and release the stimulating alkaloids. Chewing results in a heavy flow of brick-red saliva, which may temporarily dye the mouth, lips, and gums orange-brown. Betel nuts yield an alkaloid that veterinarians use as a worming agent.