bixa

\\ˈbiksə\ noun

Usage: capitalized

Etymology: New Latin, from American Spanish bija, bixa achiote, from Taino bixa

: an American genus (the type of the family Bixaceae) of trees with cordate leaves and large pink or rose flowers — see annatto tree

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Bixa /bikˈsə/

noun

A tropical American genus of plants yielding anatta, giving name to the Bixāˈceae, a family of parietal Archichlamydeae

ORIGIN: Sp bixa, from Taino bixa

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‖ bixa

(ˈbɪksə)

[Native name in Central America.]

A genus of small trees, natives of tropical America, from the fruits of one species of which (B. orellana) the dye anatta is prepared. Hence bixin, (a) The colouring principle of anatta; (b) A variety of anatta of greatly increased colouring power.

Watts Dict. Chem. I. 600. Syd. Soc. Lex. s.v.