upas

views updated

u·pas / ˈyoōpəs/ (also upas tree) • n. a tropical Asian tree (Antiaris toxicaria) of the mulberry family, the milky sap of which has been used as arrow poison and for ritual purposes. ∎  (in folklore) a Javanese tree alleged to poison its surroundings and said to be fatal to approach.

More From encyclopedia.com