manila hemp
LowTechnical/Historical
Definition
Meaning
A strong fiber obtained from the leaves of a plant native to the Philippines, historically used for making rope, twine, and paper.
The plant itself (scientific name: Musa textilis) or any cordage, textile, or paper product manufactured from its fibers.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A specific type of fiber, not a true hemp (Cannabis sativa). The name refers to its origin in Manila, Philippines.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical maritime use, tropical agriculture, and traditional cordage.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
made from manila hempmanufactured with manila hempwoven from manila hempVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tough as manila hemp”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contexts of historical trade or specialized natural fiber markets.
Academic
Appears in historical, botanical, or material science texts.
Everyday
Rare; only used when discussing traditional crafts, maritime history, or specific plants.
Technical
Common in nautical, textile, agricultural, and conservation contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sailors hempen'd the rigging with manila hemp.
American English
- They hempen'd the rigging with manila hemp.
adjective
British English
- The manila-hemp rope was coiled on the deck.
American English
- The manila hemp rope was coiled on the deck.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This rope is very strong. It is manila hemp.
- The old ship's ropes were made from manila hemp.
- Manila hemp, despite its name, is not related to cannabis but comes from a type of banana plant.
- The conservation of the historic vessel required sourcing authentic manila hemp for the rigging.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MANILA HEMP' = Material And Natural Industrial Line (for) A HEmp-like Plant.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURAL TOUGHNESS
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'hemp' directly as 'конопля', which refers to cannabis. 'Манильская пенька' or 'абака' are the correct terms.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with true hemp (cannabis) or with sisal.
- Capitalizing 'Manila' incorrectly.
- Using it as a general term for any strong fiber.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary source of manila hemp?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a misnomer. Manila hemp (abaca) comes from the leaves of the Musa textilis plant, a relative of the banana, and is unrelated to cannabis.
It is still used for specialty papers (like tea bags and banknotes), high-quality ropes, and some textiles, though synthetic fibers have replaced it in many applications.
It is named after Manila, the capital of the Philippines, from where it was historically traded.
Yes, 'abaca' is the native name and the more precise term for the fiber and plant, often used interchangeably with 'manila hemp'.