molasses

American  

[muh-las-iz] / məˈlæs ɪz /

noun

1. a thick syrup produced during the refining of sugar or from sorghum, varying from light to dark brown in color.

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molasses British  

/ məˈlæsɪz /

noun

1. the thick brown uncrystallized bitter syrup obtained from sugar during refining

2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): treacle.  a dark viscous syrup obtained during the refining of sugar

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Etymology

Origin of molasses

1575–85; earlier molassos, molasso ( e ) s < Portuguese melaços, plural of melaço (< Late Latin mellācium half-boiled new wine, for *mellāceum, neuter of *mellāceus honeylike, equivalent to mell-, stem of mel honey + -āceus -aceous )

Example Sentences

“But apparently not to me. I haven’t felt in a hurry to get anywhere, quite frankly. I’ve been stuck here like a beetle in molasses ever since I died.”

From Literature

Hanging over it was the sweetness of sorghum molasses coming to the boil.

From Literature

The substance sticks to my lips like molasses and keeps my mouth shut.

From Literature

During my visit, a convention, limited valet, and general crowding from the adjacent stadium created a kind of urban molasses.

From Salon

Add spiced chickpeas, peppery arugula, a drizzle of pomegranate molasses — and suddenly, you’re not eating for fuel.

From Salon

Related Words

• maple syrup