| 释义 |
‖ kapok|ˈkeɪpɒk, formerly ˈkɑːpək|
Also kapoc, capoc.
[Malay kāpoq.]
A large tropical tree, Ceiba casearia; silk cotton, the fibre produced from the soft covering of the seeds within its fruit, used to stuff mattresses, cushions, etc. Also attrib.
1735T. Salmon Mod. Hist. XXVII. vi. 186 There is also [in Guinea] the Capot Tree, that bears a sort of Cotton. 1750[see capoc]. 1795tr. C.P. Thunberg's Trav. Europe, Afr. & Asia II. 284 The cotton which encloses the seed in the capsule, is called Kapock, and is not used for spinning, but for making mattrasses, bolsters, and pillows. 1858in Simmonds Dict. Trade. 1881Watts Dict. Chem. VIII. 1144 The kapok-tree..of Java and the Indian Archipelago bears a seed resembling..that of the cotton plant. Ibid., Kapok cake. 1887C. A. Moloney Forestry W. Afr. 184. 1888 Hatter's Gaz. 1 Mar. 143/2 In Java, where it is met with abundantly, kapok has attracted considerable attention... It was first imported into Europe in 1851. 1907Yesterday's Shopping (1969) 692/2 Life belts. ‘Kapok’ pillow belt. 1940E. J. H. Corner Wayside Trees Malaya I. 436 The Kapok is grown mainly for the wool obtained from the fruits. 1958J. Slimming Temiar Jungle v. 77 Chabok..raised his blow-pipe, quickly inserting a dart into the mouthpiece and packing the end with a small twist of raw kapok. 1963J. Kirkup Tropic Temper 33 It had a good firm mattress stuffed with locally-grown fresh kapok. Ibid. 127 The kapok tree's gaunt appearance with its thin branches stuck out at right-angles to the dead-straight trunk, has earned it the nickname of P.W.D. tree. (Because people think it resembles a telegraph pole erected by the Public Works Department.) 1966D. Forbes Heart of Malaya vi. 66 The kapok tree, called the midnight horror, with its long seed pods hanging down like drooping fingers, and the fan palm were common enough. 1974L. Deighton Spy Story xx. 209 We stood around..wearing kapok-lined white snow-suits. |