kaht
QAT An evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, whose leaves are chewed as a mild stimulant.
12
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
Qat (also spelled khat, kat, or gat) is an evergreen shrub native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its leaves contain cathinone, a mild stimulant that produces effects similar to amphetamines when chewed fresh.
The practice of chewing qat leaves has deep cultural roots in Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya, where it's often consumed socially, similar to coffee or tea in other cultures. Users typically chew the leaves for several hours, experiencing mild euphoria and alertness.
In Scrabble, QAT is a crucial 3-letter word allowing Q to be played without U. Along with QI, it's one of the most important Q words for players to memorize, offering flexibility in tight board situations.
While legal in some countries, qat is controlled or banned in others due to its stimulant properties. The fresh leaves lose potency quickly, leading to complex international trade networks to supply diaspora communities.
The word 'qat' comes from Arabic 'qāt' (قات), which has been used for centuries in the Arabian Peninsula. The plant's scientific name is Catha edulis. Alternative spellings reflect different transliteration systems from Arabic. The practice of chewing qat likely originated in Ethiopia and spread to Yemen, becoming deeply embedded in Yemeni culture by the 15th century.
Words with similar meaning
KHAT
Alternative spelling
KAT
Another spelling
GAT
Ethiopian spelling
MIRAA
Kenyan name
MUGUKA
Kenyan variant
Words with opposite meaning
DEPRESSANT
Opposite effect
SEDATIVE
Calming substance
NARCOTIC
Sleep-inducing drug
Plural Form
qats
Related Terms
Consume the stimulant
Social gathering to chew qat
Recently harvested leaves
Place where qat is sold
Total base points: 12 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 2
Can be built from:
Can extend to:
If you can't play QAT, consider these subwords:
"In Yemen, afternoon qat chewing sessions are important social gatherings for discussing business and politics."
"The Scrabble player used QAT to get rid of the Q without needing a U tile."
"Fresh qat leaves must be consumed within 48 hours of harvesting to maintain their potency."
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Pronunciation
KAHT, not KWAT
Cultural sensitivity
Important tradition despite Western drug classification
Spelling variants
Only QAT valid in most word games
STIMULANT
Related term
SHRUB
Related term
YEMEN
Related term
ETHIOPIA
Related term
CATHINONE
Related term
AMPHETAMINE
Related term
MIRAA
Kenyan name
LEAF
Related term
CHEW
Related term
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