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Webster 1913 Edition


Sassafras

Sas′sa-fras

,
Noun.
[F.
sassafras
(cf. It.
sassafrasso
,
sassafras
, Sp.
sasafras
,
salsafras
,
salsifrax
,
salsifragia
,
saxifragia
), fr. L.
saxifraga
saxifrage. See
Saxifrage
.]
(Bot.)
An American tree of the Laurel family (
Sassafras officinale
); also, the bark of the roots, which has an aromatic smell and taste.
Australian sassafras
,
a lofty tree (
Doryophora Sassafras
) with aromatic bark and leaves.
–
Chilian sassafras
,
an aromatic tree (
Laurelia sempervirens
).
–
New Zealand sassafras
,
a similar tree (
Laurelia Novae Zelandiae
).
–
Sassafras nut
. –
Swamp sassafras
,
the sweet bay (
Magnolia glauca
). See
Magnolia
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Sassafras

SAS'SAFRAS

,
Noun.
[L. saxifraga; saxum, a stone, and frango, to break.]
A tree of the genus Laurus, whose bark has an aromatic smell and taste.