matacà

Catalan

Etymology

Verb-object compound, composed of mata (“to kill”) +‎ ca (“dog”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): (Central, Balearic) [ˌma.təˈka]
• IPA^(key): (Valencian) [ˌma.taˈka]

Noun

matacà m (plural matacans)

1. (architecture) machicolation
2. strychnine tree (Strychnos nux-vomica)

   Synonym: nou vòmica

3. (in the plural) dwarf elder

Further reading

• “matacà” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.
• “matacà” in Diccionari català-valencià-balear, Antoni Maria Alcover and Francesc de Borja Moll, 1962.