sumac noun & verb. ['s(j)u:mak, 'ʃu:-] Also sumach. ME.
[Old & mod. French, or medieval Latin sumac(h), from Arab. summā&kdbelow;.]
A. noun.
1. A preparation of the dried and chopped leaves and shoots of plants of the genus Rhus (see sense 2), used in tanning and dyeing, and formerly as an astringent. ME.

2. Any of various shrubs and small trees of the genus Rhus (family Anacardiaceae); spec. the southern European R. coriaria, the chief source of the material used in tanning (see sense 1). M16.
Phrases: poison sumac: see POISON noun, adjective, & adverb. stag-horn sumac: see STAG-HORN 2a. varnish sumac: see VARNISH noun. velvet sumac: see VELVET noun & adjective. Venetian sumac: see VENETIAN adjective.
b. verb trans. Tan with sumac. M19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲