kapok
UK[ˈkeɪpɒk]US[ˈkeɪpɑːk]
n
A light, soft, fluffy fiber that grows around the seeds of the kapok tree, used as stuffing for mattresses, life jackets, and insulation.
Etymology
The word 'kapok' entered English in the 18th century from the Malay term 'kapuk'. This Malay word is believed to have originated from the Javanese word 'kapuk', which directly names the tree and its distinctive silky fiber. The journey of the word into English reflects the colonial trade routes of Southeast Asia, where the material's unique properties made it a valuable commodity. Thus, the term traveled as a complete, unanalyzed unit, carrying with it the name of a specific natural product from its region of origin.
Analysis
This is a simplex loanword. The word 'kapok' itself is borrowed from Malay 'kapuk', which refers to the tree and its fiber.
Examples
The life jacket was filled with buoyant kapok.
She prefers pillows stuffed with natural kapok rather than synthetic fibers.
The kapok pods burst open, releasing their fluffy fibers into the air.