Khats

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A tropical shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula whose leaves are chewed for their stimulating and euphoric effects; the fresh leaves themselves used as a mild natural stimulant by chewing to release active compounds; the plant cultivated for its psychoactive alkaloids consumed socially or ceremonially
2. A flowering plant known for leaves that, when chewed, produce mild stimulation and alertness; the practice of chewing its leaves as a traditional social custom; the cultivated species prized for its cathinone content causing mild euphoria
3. A green leafy plant whose fresh leaves contain stimulant chemicals promoting wakefulness and mild euphoria; the habitual chewing of these leaves in certain cultures for recreational or ritual purposes; the botanical species grown mainly in parts of Africa and the Middle East for these psychoactive effects

Etymology: The word "khats" is simply the plural of "khat", the name of a leafy shrub (Catha edulis) whose fresh leaves are chewed for their stimulant effect, mainly across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. "Khat" was borrowed from Arabic "qāt", the name of the plant itself, so English took both the plant and its name from the same source.

Synonyms: qat leaves, catha