sumac

or su·mach

[ soo-mak, shoo- ]
/ ˈsu mæk, ˈʃu- /

noun

any of several shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Rhus of the cashew family, having milky sap, compound leaves, and small, fleshy fruit.
a preparation of the dried and powdered leaves, bark, etc., of certain species of Rhus, especially R. coriaria of southern Europe, used especially in tanning.
the wood of these trees.

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Origin of sumac

1250–1300; Middle English < Medieval Latin < Arabic summāq

Words nearby sumac

sum and substance, sum total, sum up, sum-, sum-up, sumac, sumach, sumatra, sumatra camphor, sumatran, sumatran elephant
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for sumac

Medical definitions for sumac

sumac

n.

Any of various shrubs or small trees of the genus Rhus, having compound leaves, clusters of small greenish flowers, and usually red, hairy fruit. Some species, such as the poison ivy and poison oak, cause an acute itching rash on contact.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.