[Native name.]
A South American tree, Phytelephas macrocarpa, allied to the palms; its seed is the Corozo-nut (or ivory-nut), the hardened albumen of which furnishes the substance called vegetable ivory.
1760–72. trans. Juan & Ulloa’s Voy. (1807), I. 50. The fourth, which they call corozo, has a fruit larger than dates, of an exquisite taste; and proper for making cooling and wholesome draughts.
1869. Eng. Mech., 24 Dec., 367/2. Buttons are made … from the corozo nuts.
1883. Eng. Illustr. Mag., Nov., 88/1. Besides vast quantities of corozo nut or vegetable ivory, Birmingham consumes tons upon tons of shells for buttons.
