1. The fibre obtained from the bark of the plants Corchorus capsularis and C. olitorius (family Tiliaceae), imported chiefly from Bengal, and used in the manufacture of gunny, canvas, bagging, cordage, etc.
b. The plant which furnishes this fibre, or any plant of the genus Corchorus.
bastard jute, a name of Hibiscus cannabinus, the fibre of which is used to adulterate jute. American jute: see VELVETLEAF.
I was watching (not kibitzing!) a Scrabble game recently and I noticed a chance for one of the players to play “jute” across a Triple Word Score to cinch the win. He didn’t see it, but he won anyway, so that was okay.
Neh 