sycamine

noun

syc·​a·​mine ˈsi-kə-ˌmīn How to pronounce sycamine (audio)
-mən
: a tree of the Bible that is usually considered a mulberry (Morus nigra)

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin sȳcamīnos "sycamore fig (Ficus sycomorus), mulberry (Morus nigra)," borrowed from Greek sȳkámīnos, borrowed (with the initial syllable conformed to sŷkon "fig") from a Semitic source akin to Aramaic šiqmīn (plural) "sycamore figs" (Hebrew šiqmāh, plural šiqmīm)

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sycamine was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near sycamine

Cite this Entry

“Sycamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sycamine. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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