Tām'a-rīnd, n.

n. [It. & Sp. tamarindo, Pg. tamarindo, tamarinho, Fr. tamarin, N. Lat. tamarindus Indica, from Ar. tamar-hindi, i. e., Indian date, from tamar, a dried date.] (Bot.) (a.) A leguminous tree of the genus Tamarindus, cultivated in both the Indies, and in other tropical countries, for the sake of its shade, and for its fruit. The trunk of the tree is lofty, large, and crowned with widespreading branches; the flowers are in simple clusters, terminating the short lateral branches. Eng. Cyc. (b.) One of the preserved seed pods of the tamarind, which abound with an acid pulp, and are used in medicine, being possessed of refrigerant and laxative properties.