tallow tree

noun

a small tree, Sapium sebiferum, of the spurge family, cultivated in China and the tropics, having popcorn-shaped seeds with a waxy coating that is used for soap, candles, and oil.

Origin of tallow tree

First recorded in 1695–1705

Words nearby tallow tree

tallit, tallith, tallith katan, tallmadge, tallow, tallow tree, tallow wood, tallowy, tallulah, tally, tally clerk

Example sentences from the Web for tallow tree

  • Of equal value and more curious is the tallow-tree, which lights the whole of the empire.

    The War Tiger |Wiliam Dalton

  • The Chinese make their candles from the tallow obtained from the seeds and capsules of the tallow-tree.

    Popular Technology, Vol. I (of 2) |Edward Hazen

  • Such is the case with the natural order Euphorbiaceæ, or spurge family, to which the tallow-tree of China belongs.

    Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 436 |Various

  • Among the exotics we observed the Australian gum-tree and the Chinese tallow-tree, large and thrifty in both instances.

    Due West |Maturin Murray Ballou