‖ cadjan Anglo-Indian.
(ˈkɑːdʒən)
Also 7–8 cajan.
[ad. Malay and Javan. ḳājāng palm-leaves, ‘introduced by foreigners into Southern India’ (Yule).]
1. ‘Coco-palm leaves matted, the common substitute for thatch in Southern India’ (Col. Yule).
| 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 17 (Y.) Flags..(by them called Cajans, being Co-coe-tree branches)..supplying..Coverings to their Cottages. 1727 A. Hamilton New Acc. E. Ind. I. xxiv. 294 His Palace..was..covered with Cadjans or Cocoa-nut Tree Leaves woven together. 1860 Tennent Ceylon II. 126 (Y.) Houses are..roofed with its plaited fronds, which, under the name of cadjans, are likewise employed for constructing partitions and fences. |
2. ‘A strip of fan-palm leaf, i.e. either of the talipot, or of the palmyra, prepared for writing on; and so a document written on such a strip’ (Col. Yule). Also attrib., as in cadjan leaf, cadjan letter.
| 1707 in J. T. Wheeler Madras in Olden T. II. 78 (Y.) The officer at the Bridge Gate bringing in..a Cajan letter that he found hung upon a post. 1716 Ibid. II. 231 (Y.) The President..has intercepted a villainous letter or Cajan. 1840 A. Campbell Code Madras Regul. 323 Vellum parchment or any other material instead of paper or cadjan leaf. 1853 J. W. Dykes Salem 355. |