khat
UK[kɑːt]US[kɑːt]
n
The leaves of an Arabian shrub, which are chewed or used to make tea as a stimulant.
Etymology
The word 'khat' entered English in the 19th century as a direct borrowing from Arabic قات (qāt). It refers specifically to the plant Catha edulis, native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The term's journey into English reflects the colonial and trade contacts that introduced the plant and its stimulant use to a Western audience. As a loanword, it retains its original form and monosyllabic structure, carrying the specific cultural reference intact from its source language.
Analysis
This word is a simplex loanword. It originates from the Arabic word قات (qāt).
Examples
The chewing of khat is a common social custom in some East African countries.
The importation of fresh khat leaves is regulated or banned in many nations.
He brewed a bitter tea from the dried khat leaves.