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.

Origin of sumac

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

Example sentences from the Web for sumach

British Dictionary definitions for sumach

sumach

US sumac

/ (ˈsuːmæk, ˈʃuː-) /

noun

any temperate or subtropical shrub or small tree of the anacardiaceous genus Rhus, having compound leaves, clusters of green flowers, and red hairy fruits See also poison sumach
a preparation of powdered leaves of certain species of Rhus, esp R. coriaria, used in dyeing and tanning
the wood of any of these plants

Word Origin for sumach

C14: via Old French from Arabic summāq

Medical definitions for sumach

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.