Antiaris is a tree species found in some African and Asian countries. Its spelling may cause confusion because the word contains an unusual combination of vowels and consonants. The word is pronounced /ænˈtiːərɪs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced with the short "a" sound followed by a stressed long "e" sound. The second syllable contains a silent "a" and is pronounced with a short "i". The final syllable includes an "r" and the short "i" sound.
Antiaris is a noun that refers to a genus of trees belonging to the family Moraceae. This genus consists of approximately seven known species of flowering trees that are predominantly found in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The most well-known species of Antiaris is Antiaris toxicaria.
Antiaris trees are renowned for their considerable size, with some species reaching heights of over 50 meters. They possess a straight, cylindrical trunk, which is often covered in a light gray or brownish bark. The leaves of Antiaris trees are large and simple, arranged alternately along the branches. Their color typically varies from dark green to glossy light green.
One of the distinctive features of Antiaris trees is their milky sap, which is highly toxic. This sap contains a compound called antirrhotic acid, which can cause severe skin irritation and even blistering upon contact. Additionally, certain species of Antiaris produce a toxic compound known as rotenone, which has been used historically as an insecticide. Due to their poisonous properties, Antiaris trees have been widely employed for various purposes, such as poison arrows for hunting by indigenous communities.
In conclusion, Antiaris is a genus of tropical trees known for their toxic sap and large size. These trees play an important role in indigenous cultures, mainly for their poisonous properties and utilization in hunting techniques.
Upas, a gum-resinous exudate from Antiaris toxicaria, a tree of the East Indies, used as an arrow poison; it is a vasomotor, cardiac, and muscular paralyzer.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "antiaris" has its roots in Latin and Greek. It derives from the combination of two separate words: "anti" from the Greek word "anti", meaning "against" or "in opposition to", and "aris", a Latinized form of "arbor", meaning "tree".
Overall, the etymology of "antiaris" suggests a tree that symbolizes opposition or resistance.