sesame

See also: sésame

English
sesame seeds

Etymology

From Middle English sysame, from Latin sīsamum, sēsamum, from Ancient Greek σήσαμον (sḗsamon), from Aramaic שושמא (šūššmā), shortening of שומשומא (šumššumā), from Akkadian 𒊭𒈦𒌑𒈬 (šamaššammū, “oil plant”), compound of 𒉌𒄑 (šaman, “oil”) and 𒌑 (šammum, “plant”). The modern pronunciation is influenced by Ancient Greek σησάμη (sēsámē), variant of σήσαμον (sḗsamon).[1]

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈsɛsəmi/, /ˈsɛzəmi/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈsɛsəmi/
    • Audio (US)(file)
  • (obsolete) IPA(key): /ˈsɛsəm/, /ˈsiːsəm/[1]
  • Rhymes: -ɛsəmɪ
  • Hyphenation: ses‧a‧me

Noun

sesame (countable and uncountable, plural sesames)

  1. A tropical Asian plant (Sesamum indicum) bearing small flat seeds used as food and as a source of oil.
    Synonyms: beniseed, benne, gingelly
  2. The seed of this plant.
    Synonym: sesame seed
    • 2012 May 8, Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi, Ottolenghi: The Cookbook‎, Random House, →ISBN, page 79:
      First, marinate the tofu. In a bowl, whisk the kecap manis, chilli sauce, and sesame oil together. Cut the tofu into strips about 1cm thick, mix gently (so it doesn't break) with the marinade and leave in the fridge for half an hour.

Derived terms

Translations

References
  1. James A. H. Murray [et al.], editors (1884–1928), “Sesame”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volumes VIII, Part 2 (S–Sh), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 523, column 1.

Anagrams
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