jequirity

noun

je·​quir·​i·​ty
jə̇ˈkwirətē
variants or jequirity bean
plural -es
1
: the scarlet and black seed of Indian licorice used in India and other tropical regions for beads in rosaries and necklaces and as a standard weight
2
: indian licorice

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese jequiriti, jequirití, perhaps of Indic origin; akin to Hindi rattī ratti

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of jequirity was in 1882

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Cite this Entry

“Jequirity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jequirity. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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