noun
sumac
SOO-mak/sˈumæk/
A shrub or small tree with reddish berries used as a tangy spice.
The sumac beside the path bears clusters of reddish berries.
Etymology
The name goes back to a word meaning “red.” English first used it for a preparation of dried leaves used in tanning and dyeing, then for the shrub itself.
In context
the sumac that grows along the highway is where I live
More examples
- Workers harvest berries from the sumac to make a tangy spice.
- Ground sumac adds a tart flavor to the salad.
- Several sumacs grow along the edge of the garden.
Forms
sumac · sumacs