The word "cutch" is a bit tricky when it comes to spelling. It is pronounced as /kʌtʃ/ and has its origins in India where it refers to a dark brown dye. However, in English, it also has a secondary meaning as a type of adhesive substance. The spelling of "cutch" may have come from the Hindustani word "kattha" which means an extract of the heartwood of the acacia catechu tree. It's important to note the "u" in "cutch" is pronounced as a short "uh" sound which can be confusing for some English learners.
Cutch is a dark brown dye extracted from the heartwood of several plants belonging to the Acacia family, especially Acacia catechu. It is a natural substance frequently used in textile dyeing and tanning processes.
The process of obtaining cutch involves grinding and boiling the heartwood of these particular acacia trees to extract a resinous substance. This resin is then dried and powdered to form a brown dye. Cutch dye has a high tannin content, which makes it valuable for its color fastness and ability to create deep, rich shades.
Historically, cutch dye has been widely used in India, South Asia, and Southeast Asia for dyeing textiles, particularly silk and cotton. It has also been utilized in traditional Ayurvedic medicines for its medicinal properties, thanks to its astringent and antibacterial qualities.
In addition to the textile industry, cutch is employed in leather tanning due to its capacity to create durable and resistant leather goods. The dye interacts with the protein fibers of the leather, giving it a characteristic dark brown hue. Cutch offers a natural alternative to synthetic dyes and tanning agents, making it sought-after in eco-friendly and sustainable practices.
Overall, cutch is a natural, brown dye derived from the heartwood of certain acacia trees, used primarily in the textile and leather industries for its color-fixing and tanning properties.
The spawn of oysters; the objects on which the spawn or spat is adhering.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "cutch" has its origins in Hindi, specifically from the Hindi word "kachu" (कच्चु), which means "raw" or "unripe". The term was initially used to refer to a brownish dye obtained from the heartwood of various trees found in India, particularly the Acacia catechu tree. In English, the word "cutch" came into usage in the mid-18th century when describing this particular type of dye.