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View synonyms for yam

yam

[ yam ]

noun

  1. the starchy, tuberous root of any of various climbing vines of the genus Dioscorea, cultivated for food in warm regions.
  2. any of these plants.


yam

/ jæm /

noun

  1. any of various twining plants of the genus Dioscorea, of tropical and subtropical regions, cultivated for their edible tubers: family Dioscoreaceae
  2. the starchy tuber of any of these plants, which is eaten as a vegetable
  3. any of certain large varieties of sweet potato
  4. a former Scot name for the (common) potato
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of yam1

First recorded in 1580–90; compare Gullah nyam, Jamaican English nyaams, Sranan jamsi, from sources in one or more West African languages (compare Wolof nyam (nyam), Fulani nyami “to eat,” Twi εnãm “flesh”); earlier English forms, from Portuguese inhame or Spanish (i)ñame
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Word History and Origins

Origin of yam1

C17: from Portuguese inhame, ultimately of West African origin; compare Senegal nyami to eat
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Example Sentences

He called his college roommate, Sam Yam, who immediately got to coding; within months, their website, Patreon, was launched.

The sorbet was tangy and was a tad tart while in the main course the pepper in the yam croquette brought it to life.

But she didnae speak plain, ye maun understand; but yam-yammered, like a powny wi' the bit in its moo.

I carried a long stick, much longer than a waddy; perhaps it was a yam-stick—I cannot remember.

Taking a yam-stick as pointer, I would often draw roughly in the sand almost every animal in Nature.

It bears a long even-edged leaf about an inch wide; the taste somewhat resembled that of a yam.

Yams were in great abundance, very fine and large; one yam weighed above forty-five pounds.

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