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Webster 1913 Edition

Sesame

Ses′a-me

,
Noun.
[L.
sesamum
,
sesama
, Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK][GREEK], [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK]: cf. F.
sésame
.]
(Bot.)
Either of two annual herbaceous plants of the genus
Sesamum
(
Sesamum Indicum
, and
Sesamum orientale
), from the seeds of which an oil is expressed; also, the small obovate, flattish seeds of these plants, sometimes used as food. See
Benne
.
Open Sesame
,
the magical command which opened the door of the robber’s den in the Arabian Nights' tale of “The Forty Thieves;” hence, a magical password.
–
Sesame grass
.
(Bot.)
Same as
Gama grass
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Sesame

SES'AME

,
Noun.
[L. sesama.] Oily grain; a genus of annual herbaceous plants, from the

Definition 2024

sesame

sesame

See also: sésame

English

sesame seeds

Noun

sesame ‎(plural sesames)

  1. A tropical Asian plant (Sesamum indicum) bearing small flat seeds used as food and as a source of oil.
  2. The seed of this plant.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

Etymology

1425; Middle English sisamie, from Middle French sisame, learned borrowing from Latin sīsamum, variant of sēsama, from Ancient Greek σήσαμον ‎(sḗsamon, “sesame seed”), from Old Aramaic שושמא ‎(šūššmā), shortening of שומשומא ‎(šumššumā), from Akkadian (Assyrian) [script needed] ‎(šamaššammū), [script needed] ‎(šamaššammi, literally “oil plant”), compound of [script needed] ‎(šaman, “oil”) and [script needed] ‎(šammu, “plant”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈsɛzəmi/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈsɛsəmi/
  • Rhymes: -ɛsəmɪ
  • Hyphenation: ses‧a‧me

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