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sumac

or su·mach

[ soo-mak, shoo- ]

noun

  1. any of several shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Rhus of the cashew family, having milky sap, compound leaves, and small, fleshy fruit.
  2. a preparation of the dried and powdered leaves, bark, etc., of certain species of Rhus, especially R. coriaria of southern Europe, used especially in tanning.
  3. the wood of these trees.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of sumac1

1250–1300; Middle English < Medieval Latin < Arabic summāq

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Example Sentences

That said, he adds, “I don’t think it’s possible to isolate a single origin of sumac.”

From Eater

Rhus glabra and copallinum, known as “smooth sumac” and “shining sumac,” respectively, lack the same fuzzy coating as Rhus typhina.

From Eater

Shredded halloumi, fresh herbs, crunchy nuts and citrusy touches from lemon and sumac make this aromatic dish a simple, tasty weeknight winner.

Ground sumac is available at Middle Eastern markets and spice shops, as well as some Whole Foods Markets.

The smoke from her kitchen fire rose white as she put in dry sumac to give it a start.

Mary rose from the stone by this roadway, where she had been sitting beneath a solitary sumac.

From the smooth sumac they reap a harvest in midsummer, and in March they get a good grist of pollen from the skunk-cabbage.

All the colors of autumn were at their height, and gorgeous plots of maple thicket and sumac burned against the brown and green.

Also spelt Sumac and Shumac, and always pronounced like the latter.

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sumsumach