kat
n. uncountablen. a plant from East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula that people chew for its energy-boosting effects. It acts as a mild stimulant, similar to strong coffee or tea.
n. the leaves and young shoots of an evergreen shrub, Catha edulis, which are chewed for their stimulant properties. Contains the alkaloid cathinone, which produces effects similar to amphetamines.
In some cultures, people chew kat socially in the afternoons.
The leaves of the kat plant must be consumed while fresh to maintain their potency as a stimulant.
The trade of kat is a significant part of the local economy in Ethiopia and Yemen, despite international debates regarding its legal status and health impacts.
Often spelled 'khat' in international English; 'kat' is a common variant spelling.