sesame

ses·a·me

noun \ˈse-sə-mē also ˈse-zə-\

Definition of SESAME

1

: a widely cultivated chiefly tropical or subtropical annual erect herb (Sesamum indicum of the family Pedaliaceae); also : its small seeds used especially as a source of oil and a flavoring agent

2

: open sesame

Illustration of SESAME

Origin of SESAME

alteration of earlier sesam, sesama, from Latin sesamum, sesama, from Greek sēsamon, sēsamē, of Semitic origin; akin to Akkadian šamaššamu sesame

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil