bullet tree

1 of 2

noun (1)

bul·​let tree
ˈbu̇lə̇t-
1
: a bully tree (especially Manilkara bidentata)
2
: a tree (Terminalia buceras) of Central America and the West Indies with brownish gray very close-grained wood

bully tree

2 of 2

noun (2)

bul·​ly tree
ˈbu̇lē-
variants or bullet tree
-lə̇t-
: any of several hard-wooded tropical American trees of the family Sapotaceae
especially : a large tree (Manilkara bidentata) of the West Indies and northern South America that yields balata gum and a heavy red timber

called also balata, beefwood

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

by folk etymology from American Spanish balata

Noun (2)

by folk etymology from American Spanish balata

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Cite this Entry

“Bullet tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullet%20tree. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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