English Explanatory Dictionary

sassafras

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A tree of species Sassafras albidum of the eastern United States and Asia having mitten-shaped leaves and red, aromatic heartwood.
  2. A tree of any species in the genus Sassafras.
  3. The bark of the root of this plant, used for medicinal and (mostly historically) culinary purposes and formerly a main ingredient in root beer.
name
  1. A locality in Latrobe council area and the Meander Valley council area, northern Tasmania, Australia.
  2. A locality in the City of Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Victoria, Australia.

Pronunciation

/ˈsasəfɹas/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-sassafras.wav

Word forms

sassafras sassafrases saxefras sassafrass

Etymology

From Spanish sasafrás, possibly from Latin saxifragus (“stone-breaking”) from the habit of certain plants growing in cracks in boulders. If this etymology is correct, it is a doublet of saxifrage.

Synonyms

red sassafras silky sassafras white sassafras cinnamonwood

Related words

sarsaparilla

Derived words

Australian sassafras blackheart sassafras black sassafras Brazilian sassafras Chilean sassafras Chinese sassafras grey sassafras New Zealand sassafras northern sassafras Oliver's sassafras red sassafras sassafras nut scentless sassafras silky sassafras socket sassafras southern sassafras swamp sassafras white sassafras yellow sassafras
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