noun
Either of two thorny shrubs or small trees of the genus Ziziphus (family Rhamnaceae) that are native to the Middle East and North Africa, Z. lotus and Z. spina-christi. Also "†nabk-thorn", "nabk-tree".
Believed by some to be the plant from which Christ's crown of thorns was woven.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Edward Lane (1801–1876), orientalist. From Arabic nabq (also in form nabaq, nabiq, nibq) the fruit of the Ziziphus lotus or the tree itself.
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