Coffea

noun

Cof·​fea
ˈkȯfēə
: a genus of small trees and shrubs of the family Rubiaceae native to the tropical Old World (as Africa) having white fragrant flowers borne in clusters at the base of the shining evergreen leaves, and including several species (especially C. arabica, C. liberica, and C. robusta) that are widely grown in tropical and subtropical uplands for their cherrylike fruits which contain seeds from which coffee is prepared

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from obsolete Swedish coffe, coffé (now kaffe), from obsolete German or English; obsolete German coffée, coffee (now kaffee) from English coffee

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Cite this Entry

“Coffea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Coffea. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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