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sumac definition

su·mac or sumach su′·mach′ (so̵̅o̅′mak′, s̸ho̵̅o̅′-)

noun

  1. any of various shrubs and small trees (genus Rhus) of the cashew family, including poison sumac and several nonpoisonous plants
  2. the pulverized dried leaves of some of these nonpoisonous plants (esp. Rhus coriaria), used in tanning and dyeing
  3. the wood of any of these plants

Etymology: ME sumac < MFr < Ar summāq

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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