sambuca

¹ American  

[sam-byoo-kuh] / sæmˈbyu kə /

noun

1. Also sambuke an ancient stringed musical instrument used in Greece and the Middle East.

2. a medieval hurdy-gurdy.

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sambuca ² American  

[sam-boo-kuh, sahm-boo-kah] / sæmˈbu kə, sɑmˈbu kɑ /

noun

1. a licorice-flavored Italian liqueur made from elderberries.

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Etymology

Origin of sambuca¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Middle English sambuke, from Latin sambūca, from Greek sambȳ́kē, perhaps from Semitic; compare Aramaic sabbəkhā

Origin of sambuca²

First recorded in 1970–75; from Italian, feminine derivative of sambuco “elder (tree),” from Latin sa(m)būcus

Example Sentences

Renowned grappa producer Poli Distillerie stopped making its smooth, elegant sambuca, which tastes like fresh fennel, in the 1980s, but recently brought it back due to the surge in demand.

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2022

He said one of the senator’s favorite drinks was sambuca, the Italian anise-flavored liqueur; Mr. McCain would often order ribs or étouffée, the Cajun dish served with shellfish over rice.

From New York Times • Aug. 27, 2018

Maybe I was primed to love it because my mom liked to make brownies with a splash of sambuca when I was a kid and bought Italian pizzelles every Christmas.

From Washington Post • Feb. 7, 2018

Maybe some people thought the burnt pepper sambuca sausage with fresh mustard was a little dry.

From New York Times • Aug. 30, 2014

An ancient musical instrument, the sambuca, was doubtless made from many such hollow reed-like sticks properly attuned.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje