taaibos, noun

Forms:
taaibosch, taayboschShow more Also taaibosch, taaybosch, taybosch.
Origin:
Afrikaans, South African Dutch, DutchShow more Afrikaans from South African Dutch, from Dutch taai tough + bosch bush.
Any of several species of shrubs or trees with strong, pliable branches and tough bark, especially any of several shrubby species of Rhus (family Anacardiaceae) and Passerina (family Thymelaeaceae); the timber of this tree. Also attributive.
1821 C.I. Latrobe Jrnl of Visit 559Taaibosch, a species of Rhus, of which genus several bear the name of Taaibosch.
[1824 W.J. Burchell Trav. II. 234Taaibosch (Tough-bush) is a Dutch name given to several species of Rhus.]
1833 S. Afr. Almanac & Dir. p.xlviiiOne of the Cape sumachs (Taaybosch) has been recommended for culture.
1834 Cape of G.H. Lit. Gaz. Mar. 41It is not unlikely that the extract may be procured in larger quantities from the wattle, if the tree is treated as recommended for the colonial Taybosch. (Rhus lucida.)
1906 B. Stoneman Plants & their Ways 31Tannin is excellent for preserving leather, and so the beautiful Protea cynaroides..and Rhus lucida (Taai bosch) are destroyed for this substance which was intended for their protection.
1937 C.R. Prance Tante Rebella’s Saga 131With prehistoric tools he split a log of ‘taaibos,’ one of the toughest timbers known.
1948 Cape Times 5 Aug. 8The safer and more effective plants are reeds and many-stemmed shrubs, such as taaibos.
1964 L.G. Green Old Men Say 104Genadendal..initiated the famous Madeira chairs, and sold their taaibos versions at ten shillings apiece.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 454Taaibos, A name generally given to several species with a tough..bark, but more especially to Passerina filiformis.
1974 B. De Winter in Std Encycl. of Sn Afr. X. 396Taaibos, Name generally applied to plants with tough branches and bark, such as Passerina vulgaris..but particularly to shrubby Rhus species.
1989 F.G. Butler Tales from Old Karoo 34He cut a fork from an old taaibos.
Any of several species of shrubs or trees with strong, pliable branches and tough bark, especially any of several shrubby species of Rhus (family Anacardiaceae) and Passerina (family Thymelaeaceae); the timber of this tree. Also attributive.
Entry Navigation

Visualise Quotations

Quotation summary

Senses

18211989