raffia Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun leaf fibers of the raffia palm tree; used to make baskets and mats etc.
    raphia.
  2. noun fiber of a raffia palm used as light cordage and in making hats and baskets
  3. noun feather palm of tropical Africa and Madagascar and Central and South America widely grown for commercial purposes
    genus Raffia; genus Raphia; Raphia.

WordNet

Raf"fi*a noun
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A fibrous material used for tying plants, said to come from the leaves of a palm tree of the genus Raphia. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).

Webster 1913