Meaning & use
tonquin bean
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Meanings
nouncountablespecialist
The dark, almond-scented seed of a South American tree, used in perfumes and flavorings.
Grammar: Countable: one seed is 'a tonquin bean', several are 'tonquin beans'.
Patterns
- a tonquin bean
- tonquin beans
The perfumer added a trace of tonquin bean to give the scent a warm, sweet base.
In the 19th century, tonquin beans were shipped to Europe for use in tobacco and perfume.
nouncountablespecialistbiology
The tree (Dipteryx odorata) that produces these seeds, native to northern South America.
Grammar: Also countable when referring to the tree itself.
Patterns
- the tonquin bean tree
Tonquin bean trees grow slowly in the rainforests of Venezuela and Brazil.
The tonquin bean is valued both for its timber and for its fragrant seeds.
Word forms
| plural | tonquin beans |
|---|
Common combinations
- tonquin bean extract
- Tonquin bean extract is used in small amounts in luxury perfumes.
- the scent of tonquin bean
- The scent of tonquin bean reminded her of vanilla and almonds.
- tonquin bean tree
- The tonquin bean tree can reach heights of 25 meters.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tonka bean
- The standard modern name for the same seed; 'tonquin bean' is an older variant.
- cumaru
- The Portuguese-derived name for the tree and its seed, common in South America.
Word family
- tonquin noun
- Short form of the name, also used for a type of musk.
Commonly confused: tonquin bean or tonka bean?
tonquin bean vs tonka bean
The usual modern spelling; 'tonquin bean' is a historical variant and less familiar to most readers.
Practice
In which context would you most likely encounter the term 'tonquin bean'?
Choose one answer.
The tonquin bean is a fragrant seed used in perfumes, so a historical article about the perfume trade is the most natural context. A recipe might use 'tonka bean' in modern cooking, but 'tonquin bean' is a specialist, old-fashioned term not found in everyday recipes.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tonquin bean”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.