abaca

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

abaca
    n 1: a kind of hemp obtained from the abaca plant in the
         Philippines [syn: {Manila hemp}, {Manilla hemp}, {abaca}]
    2: Philippine banana tree having leafstalks that yield Manila
       hemp used for rope and paper etc [syn: {abaca}, {Manila
       hemp}, {Musa textilis}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Manila hemp \Manila hemp\ n.
   1. A fibrous material obtained from the abaca plant ({Musa
      textilis}), a plant allied to the banana, growing in the
      Philippine and other East India islands; -- called also by
      the native name {abaca}. From it matting, canvas, ropes,
      and cables are made.

   Syn: Manilla hemp, abaca.
        [1913 Webster]

   2. A Philippine plant ({Musa textilis}) having leafstalks
      that yield Manila hemp used for rope and paper etc.;
      called also the {abaca}.
      [WordNet 1.5]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Abaca \Ab"a*ca\ ([a^]b"[.a]*k[.a]), n. [The native name.]
   The Manila-hemp plant ({Musa textilis}); also, its fiber. See
   {Manila hemp} under {Manila}.
   [1913 Webster]