jessamine
UK[ˈdʒɛsəmɪn]US[ˈdʒɛsəmɪn]
n
A name for the common jasmine, especially the yellow-flowered species *Jasminum humile*.
Etymology
The word 'jessamine' is a variant of 'jasmine', tracing a fragrant path through languages. Its journey began with the Persian word yāsaman, denoting the fragrant flowering plant. This term was borrowed into Arabic as yas(a)mīn and subsequently entered European languages via Old French. The English form 'jessamine' reflects an older, now less common spelling influenced by the French, while the modern 'jasmine' shows a later re-Latinization. The core meaning of the sweet-scented plant has remained remarkably consistent throughout its linguistic travels.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It entered English from Old French jessemin, which came from Arabic yas(a)mīn, itself borrowed from Persian yāsaman.
Examples
The garden wall was covered in a fragrant jessamine.
She preferred the delicate scent of jessamine to heavier perfumes.
In the old poem, the poet compares his love to a blooming jessamine.