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Definition of samara
: a dry indehiscent usually one-seeded winged fruit (as of an ash or elm tree) —called also key
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Recent Examples of samara from the Web
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Samaras served as prime minister from 2012 to 2015, in coalition with the Socialists.
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Samaras served as prime minister from 2012 to 2015, in coalition with the Socialists.
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Samaras served as prime minister from 2012 to 2015, in coalition with the Socialists.
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Samaras served as prime minister from 2012 to 2015, in coalition with the Socialists.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'samara'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Not familiar with the term samara referring to the winged fruit of the elm, ash, maple, and sycamore, among other trees? Then how about "key," "whirlybird," "helicopter," "whirligig," or "spinning jenny"? Those nicknames are all excellent descriptors of a samara. A samara resembles a key and when it falls its unique shape enables it to spin like a helicopter's rotor and drift away from its tree. Botanists began using the term "samara" in the late 16th century. In Latin, it means literally "seed of the elm."
Illustration of samara
Origin and Etymology of samara
New Latin, from Latin, seed of the elm
SAMARA Defined for English Language Learners
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See words that rhyme with samara Britannica English: Translation of samara for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about samara
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