sumac
sumac
UK[ˈʃuːmæk]US[ˈsuːmæk]
n
A type of shrub or small tree with compound leaves and clusters of red or white berries.
n
A coarse powder made from the dried and ground berries of some sumac species, used as a spice, especially in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Etymology
The word 'sumac' has a long journey through the languages of the Mediterranean and Middle East. It entered English in the 14th century from the Old French 'sumac', which itself came from the medieval Latin 'sumach'. These European forms trace back to the Arabic 'summāq', meaning 'red'. This Arabic term is believed to have originated from the Syriac 'summāqā', carrying the same meaning. The semantic logic is beautifully preserved: the name of the plant, and later the spice, is directly derived from the characteristic deep red color of its crushed berries and foliage.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It entered English as a single unit from Old French, which derived it from Arabic and ultimately from Aramaic/Syriac.
Examples
The hillside was covered in dense thickets of fragrant sumac.
She sprinkled sumac over the hummus to add a tangy, lemony flavor.
Poison sumac can cause a severe allergic skin reaction upon contact.