cinnamon

[ sin-uh-muhn ]

noun

1. the aromatic inner bark of any of several East Indian trees belonging to the genus Cinnamonum, of the laurel family, especially the bark of C. zeylanicum Ceylon cinnamon, used as a spice, or that of C. loureirii Saigon cinnamon, used in medicine as a cordial and carminative.
2. a tree yielding such bark.
3. any allied or similar tree.
4. a common culinary spice of dried rolled strips of this bark, often made into a powder.
5. cassia ( def 1 ).
6. a yellowish or reddish brown.

adjective

1. (of food) containing or flavored with cinnamon.
2. reddish-brown or yellowish-brown.

cinnamon

/ ˈsɪnəmən; ˌsɪnəˈmɒnɪk /

noun

1. a tropical Asian lauraceous tree, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, having aromatic yellowish-brown bark
2. the spice obtained from the bark of this tree, used for flavouring food and drink
3. Saigon cinnamon
   an E Asian lauraceous tree, Cinnamomum loureirii, the bark of which is used as a cordial and to relieve flatulence
4. any of several similar or related trees or their bark See cassia
5. 1. a light yellowish brown
   2. (as modifier)

      a cinnamon coat

Derived Forms

• cinˈnamic, adjective

Other Words From

• cinna·moned adjective
• cin·na·mon·ic [sin-, uh, -, mon, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinnamon¹

1400–50; < Latin < Late Greek kínnamon < Semitic (compare Hebrew qinnāmōn ); replacing late Middle English cinamome < Middle French < Latin cinnamōmum < Greek kinnámōmon < Semitic as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinnamon¹

C15: from Old French cinnamome, via Latin and Greek, from Hebrew qinnamown

Example Sentences

The lake mirrored the cinnamon forest floor, the skeleton trees, the slate gray sky.

From Washington Post

Add the cumin, paprika, coriander, curry and cinnamon, one at a time, and continue tossing between each addition.

From Washington Post

Add ½ to ¾ cups raisins, 1 teaspoon each of salt, cinnamon and cloves.

From Washington Post

The model and television host adorned her face with jeweled stickers and peeled green apples for cinnamon rolls while her hubby John Legend was focused on a rousing game of Rumi Cube.

From Essence.com

Throw in a cinnamon stick or a fresh lemon wedge for good measure.

From Outside Online

The smell of grilled meat mixes with the exotic wafts of cinnamon tea served with a mush of sweet brown dessert.

From The Daily Beast

Finally, Deborah Racicot of Narcissa prepares mouth-watering (and non-basic) pumpkin crepes with warm sage cinnamon en glaze.

From The Daily Beast

The cinnamon-flavored swill has been recalled in Europe over a chemical found in antifreeze.

From The Daily Beast

Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey is manufactured by Sazerac, an alcoholic beverage company based in Metairie, La.

From The Daily Beast

That nice box of Kashi Organic Promise Cinnamon Harvest cereal?

From The Daily Beast

Some of them are a high-cinnamon color, and are far from being a strong cigar.

From Project Gutenberg

Benny was never too cross to listen to the wonderful stories his sister Violet could tell about Cinnamon Bear.

From Project Gutenberg

Violet had all she could do to keep him amused, even with Cinnamon Bear and his five brothers.

From Project Gutenberg

Inside were twelve ginger cookies with scalloped edges, smelling faintly of cinnamon and sugar.

From Project Gutenberg

One variety for cutting, known as "cinnamon blotch," is a leaf of good body and is considered an excellent tobacco for chewing.

From Project Gutenberg