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raffia

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

raffia or raphia , fiber obtained from the raffia palm of Madagascar, exported for various uses, such as tying up plants that require support, binding together vegetables to be marketed, and weaving baskets, hats, and mats. It is also made into a native cloth that is exported as rabanna. The raffia palm ( Raphia farinifera or R. ruffia ) is crowned with enormous leaves that may be as much as 65 ft (19.8 m) long and composed of 80 to 100 leaflets. The fiber, which is soft, pliable, strong, and nonshrinking when wet, is torn in thin strips from these leaves. After being dried in the sun, raffia takes on a yellowish-tan hue, but it is often dyed other colors.

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raffia

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

raf·fi·a / ˈrafēə/ • n. a palm tree (Raphia ruffia) native to tropical Africa and Madagascar, with a short trunk and leaves that may be up to 60 feet (18 m) long. ∎ the fiber from these leaves, used for making items such as hats, baskets, and mats.

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"raffia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"raffia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-raffia.html

"raffia." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-raffia.html

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raffia

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences | 1998 | | Copyright

raffia (bast, bass) A fibrous tissue from the upper sides of young leaflets of the palm Raphia vinifera that is used for tying plants and to make hats, mats, ect. See RAPHIA.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "raffia." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "raffia." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-raffia.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "raffia." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-raffia.html

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raffia

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

raffia XIX. var. of raphia, var. rofia kind of palm (rofeer XVIII); of Malagasy orig.

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T. F. HOAD. "raffia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "raffia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-raffia.html

T. F. HOAD. "raffia." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-raffia.html

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raffia

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

raffia •Gambia, Zambia •Arabia, labia, Swabia •Libya, Namibia, tibia •euphorbia •agoraphobia, claustrophobia, homophobia, hydrophobia, phobia, technophobia, xenophobia, Zenobia •Nubia • rootbeer • cumbia •Colombia, Columbia •exurbia, Serbia, suburbia •Wiltshire • Flintshire •gaillardia, Nadia, tachycardia •steadier • compendia •Acadia, Arcadia, nadir, stadia •reindeer •acedia, encyclopedia, media, multimedia •Lydia, Numidia •India • belvedere • Claudia •Cambodia, odea, plasmodia, podia, roe-deer •Mafia, raffia, tafia •Philadelphia • hemisphere •planisphere • Montgolfier • Sofia •ecosphere • biosphere • atmosphere •thermosphere • ionosphere •stratosphere • headgear • switchgear •logia • nemesia • menhir

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Raffia products gaining headway globally.(Opinion) Newspaper article from: Manila Bulletin; 10/7/2011
	Viva raffia!: created from the leaves of an African palm tree, this natural... Magazine article from: Home Accents Today; 8/1/2002
	Art head: "raffia" creations. Magazine article from: Kidsworld Magazine; 3/22/1999