chunam

noun

chu·​nam
chu̇ˈnam
plural -s
1
India : lime used especially with betel leaf in making pan
2
: a cement or plaster used in India that is usually highly polished and decorated with paintings

Word History

Etymology

Tamil cuṇṇam, from Sanskrit cūrna powder, flour, from carvati he grinds, chews; perhaps akin to Slovak čren jaw, cheekbone, Latvian ceruoklis molar

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Dictionary Entries Near chunam

Cite this Entry

“Chunam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chunam. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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