ScienceJuly 30, 2026
betel
BEE-tuhl
Definition
A plant of the pepper family whose leaves are chewed together with the areca nut and lime as a stimulant.
Etymology
The word originates from the Portuguese 'betre', which was adapted from the Malayalam word 'vettila' meaning 'leaf'. It entered English usage to describe the widespread cultural practice of chewing the leaf in South and Southeast Asia.
In the news
The word 'Betel' appears in the article title 'Betel-Buddy,' referring to the star Betelgeuse, which shares an etymological root linked to the Arabic name for the star; it is important because it names the celestial object being discussed.
A Spacecraft Sent To Rescue NASA's Swift Telescope From Falling To Earth Has Begun An Uncontrollable Spin
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