kamalas

Noun

kamala (countable and uncountable, plural kamalas)

1. A small or medium-sized tree (Mallotus philippensis) in the spurge family, found in Asia and Australia.

   Synonyms:

   kamala tree, dyer's rottlera, kamala dye tree, monkey face tree, orange kamala, red kamala, scarlet croton

   1. (uncountable, usually) An orange or red powder obtained from the fruit capsules of this plant, used as dyestuff for colouring silk or wool, and employed as an anthelmintic.
      • After stating the varieties met with in this country, […] he stated that the chief points to be observed in the treatment [of common tapeworm] were: a preliminary starvation of twenty-four hours, and the administration of a combination of kamala and male fern—namely, two drachms of kamala to be...1875 December 4, “Medical Societies: Medical Society of London”, in James G. Wakley, editor, The Lancet, number 2727, London: John James Croft, page 803

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