coca

A noun referring to a South American shrub whose leaves are traditionally chewed by indigenous people of the Andes for their stimulating effects, and which are also a source of cocaine.

• 🇫🇷Arbuste originaire d'Amérique du Sud dont les feuilles sont traditionnellement mâchées par les populations andines pour leurs effets stimulants, et qui sont également la source de la cocaïne.

1. South American shrub B2 formal

   A shrub native to South America, the leaves of which are traditionally chewed by indigenous people of the Andes for their stimulating effect.

   • The coca plant has been cultivated in the Andes for centuries.
   • Farmers grow coca on the eastern slopes of the mountains.
   • The leaves of the coca shrub are harvested by hand.

   🇫🇷coca (arbuste)

2. Dried leaves for chewing B2 formal

   The dried leaves of the coca plant, traditionally chewed by Andean people to combat fatigue, hunger, and altitude sickness.

   • Andean miners often chew coca leaves for energy during long shifts.
   • The leaves are dried in the sun before being used.
   • Coca leaves are a traditional remedy for altitude sickness.

   🇫🇷Feuilles de coca à mâcher

• cocas plural form
• cocas' possessive plural form
• coca's possessive singular form