china bark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1technical/historical
Quick answer
What does “china bark” mean?
The bark of certain South American trees of the genus Cinchona, from which quinine and other alkaloids are extracted.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The bark of certain South American trees of the genus Cinchona, from which quinine and other alkaloids are extracted.
A term used historically for the medicinal bark itself, as well as for the trees producing it, valued for treating fever and malaria.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in usage; the term is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes historical trade, colonial botany, and pre-modern medicine.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary use, found primarily in historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “china bark” in a Sentence
The [source] provided china bark for [purpose].[Substance] was derived from china bark.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “china bark” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The china bark trade was lucrative.
American English
- A china bark preparation was administered.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Historical context: trade in medicinal commodities.
Academic
Used in history of medicine, botany, and colonial studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
In historical pharmacology or ethnobotany.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “china bark”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “china bark”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “china bark”
- Capitalizing 'china' as in 'China bark' (it is typically lower-case).
- Using it as a contemporary term for cinchona.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The name derives from 'Cinchona', the genus of South American trees, possibly from the surname of a Spanish countess. It has no connection to the country China.
The bark itself (cinchona) is still a source for quinine, but the specific term 'china bark' is archaic and not used in modern medicine or trade.
Quinine, an alkaloid used historically and to some extent today to treat malaria.
Only in a historical context. For contemporary references, use 'cinchona bark'.
The bark of certain South American trees of the genus Cinchona, from which quinine and other alkaloids are extracted.
China bark is usually technical/historical in register.
China bark: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪnə bɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪnə bɑːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'China' not the country, but as the origin of the name 'Cinchona' – the 'China bark' tree.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE'S PHARMACY (the bark as a container of healing).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'china bark' a historical term for?