cumin

[ kuhm-uhn, koom-, koo-muhn, kyoo- ]

noun

1. a small plant, Cuminum cyminum, of the parsley family, bearing aromatic, seedlike fruit, used in cooking and medicine.
2. the aromatic fruit or seeds of Cuminum cyminum.

cumin

/ ˈkʌmɪn /

noun

1. an umbelliferous Mediterranean plant, Cuminum cyminum, with finely divided leaves and small white or pink flowers
2. the aromatic seeds (collectively) of this plant, used as a condiment and a flavouring

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumin¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English comyn, cumin (from Old French comin ) from Latin cumīnum, from Greek kýmīnon, from Semitic (compare Arabic kammūn, Hebrew kammōn cumin); replacing Old English cymen from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumin¹

C12: from Old French, from Latin cumīnum, from Greek kuminon, of Semitic origin; compare Hebrew kammōn

Example Sentences

The color of new grass, mojo verde pulses with cilantro, cumin and garlic.

From Washington Post

While the peppers are charring, in a small skillet over medium heat, lightly toast cumin seeds until fragrant, swirling the pan to prevent them from burning, about 1 minute.

From Washington Post

Add the water and cumin, lower the heat to medium and simmer for about 10 minutes.

From Washington Post

Its fried chicken is flecked with aromatic mustard and cumin seeds and served with a sweet and coconut-y Malay-style curry and flaky, fresh-made rotis.

From Ozy

Whereas the Cuban sauce he knew combined Seville orange juice, lard, garlic, and oregano, this Canarian version was made with wine vinegar, olive oil, chiles, garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika.

From Popular-Science

Sage and sausage patty came next, served between cumin scented Buttermilk biscuits and smothered in a black pepper country gravy.

From The Daily Beast

Within days, grilled lamb skewers spiced with cumin and chili were back on the street.

From The Daily Beast

“In the mountains, if you need some cumin or potatoes, you just knock on a door,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

A single meal could include clove, cumin, jalapeños, Madeira, sweet potatoes, and whipped heavy cream.

From The Daily Beast

Add the onions, tomatoes, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, cumin, cloves and cinnamon.

From The Daily Beast

Tenures of cumin do not appear to have been common in the two counties.

From Project Gutenberg

The jintan or cumin-seed (cuminum) is sometimes an ingredient in curries.

From Project Gutenberg

The seeds of the cuminum cyminum (cumin) afford an oil similar to the preceding, but not so agreeable.

From Project Gutenberg

In Concan the sweetened decoction of the plant with a little cumin seed is given for dyspepsia with pyrosis.

From Project Gutenberg

One set consisted of Sinkina, the other of a mixture of alcohol, sugar and water with some oil of cumin.

From Project Gutenberg