English Explanatory Dictionary

sambuca

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An Italian liqueur made from elderberries and flavoured with licorice, traditionally served with 3 coffee beans that represent health, wealth and fortune (or past, present and future).
noun
  1. An ancient form of triangular harp having a very sharp, shrill tone.
  2. An ancient type of ship-borne siege engine.

Pronunciation

/samˈbʊkə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-sambuca (Italy).wav /sæmˈbukə/ /samˈbjuːkə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-sambuca (harp).wav /sæmˈb(j)ukə/

Word forms

sambuca sambucas sambucae sambuke

Etymology

] Borrowed from Italian sambuca, from Latin sambūcus (“elder tree”), due to a similar 19th century liquor flavored with elderflower. Modern sambuca, which doesn't necessarily have elderberry, started being marketed in 1971.

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