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Today it means

rattan

a climbing palm whose stems are used for wickerwork and furniture

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Where does the word "rattan" come from? It comes from Malay rotan, and was adopted directly into English (1660s).

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Where does the word "rattan" come from? It comes from Malay rotan, and was adopted directly into English (1660s).

Rattan’s story begins in Malay: rotan meant “a climbing palm vine.” The flexible climbing palm used for weaving and furniture. It reached English by 1660s as rattan. Malay 'rotan', from 'raut', to trim; Victorian wicker furniture made it popular. Today, rattan means a climbing palm whose stems are used for wickerwork and furniture.

  1. Stage 1 · Malay · 1600s rotan "a climbing palm vine", the flexible climbing palm used for weaving and furniture.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1660s rattan "a flexible material woven from palm stems", Malay 'rotan', from 'raut', to trim; Victorian wicker furniture made it popular.

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