ratan

/rəˈtæn/
noun
  1. A climbing palm plant with long, thin, tough stems, used for making furniture, baskets, and other woven items.
    • The chair was made of woven ratan, which made it lightweight and durable.
    • They harvested ratan from the forest to sell to furniture makers.
    • Ratan grows naturally in tropical regions like Southeast Asia.
  2. The stem of the ratan plant, used as a material for crafts and furniture.
    • She bought a roll of ratan to repair the old basket.
    • The artisan soaked the ratan in water to make it flexible for weaving.
    • Ratan is often used instead of wood because it is lighter and more flexible.
  3. A walking stick or cane made from ratan.
    • He tapped his ratan on the floor to get everyone's attention.
    • The elderly man leaned on his ratan as he walked through the park.
    • The antique shop sold a beautiful carved ratan from the 1800s.
Synonyms