ab·a·ca also ab·a·cá (?b??-kä?, ä?b?-)n.1. A bananalike plant (Musa textilis) native to the Philippines and having broad leaves with long stalks.2. The fibers obtained from the stalks of this plant, used to make cordage, fabric, and paper. Also called manila, Manila hemp.[Spanish abacá, from Tagalog abaka.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.abaca or abakan1. (Plants) a Philippine plant, Musa textilis, related to the banana: family Musaceae. Its leafstalks are the source of Manila hemp2. (Plants) another name for Manila hemp[via Spanish from Tagalog abaká]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014a?ba?ca (?æb ??k?, ?? b?-) n., pl. -cas. 1. a Philippine plant, Musa textilis, of the banana family. 2. Also called Manila hemp. Its fiber is used for rope, fabrics, etc. [1810?20;