cinnamon

[ sin-uh-muhn ]

noun

1. the aromatic inner bark of any of several East Indian trees belonging to the genus Cinnamonum, of the laurel family, especially the bark of C. zeylanicum Ceylon cinnamon, used as a spice, or that of C. loureirii Saigon cinnamon, used in medicine as a cordial and carminative.
2. a tree yielding such bark.
3. any allied or similar tree.
4. a common culinary spice of dried rolled strips of this bark, often made into a powder.
5. cassia ( def 1 ).
6. a yellowish or reddish brown.

adjective

1. (of food) containing or flavored with cinnamon.
2. reddish-brown or yellowish-brown.

cinnamon

/ ˈsɪnəmən; ˌsɪnəˈmɒnɪk /

noun

1. a tropical Asian lauraceous tree, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, having aromatic yellowish-brown bark
2. the spice obtained from the bark of this tree, used for flavouring food and drink
3. Saigon cinnamon
   an E Asian lauraceous tree, Cinnamomum loureirii, the bark of which is used as a cordial and to relieve flatulence
4. any of several similar or related trees or their bark See cassia
5. 1. a light yellowish brown
   2. (as modifier)

      a cinnamon coat

Derived Forms

• cinˈnamic, adjective

Other Words From

• cinna·moned adjective
• cin·na·mon·ic [sin-, uh, -, mon, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinnamon¹

1400–50; < Latin < Late Greek kínnamon < Semitic (compare Hebrew qinnāmōn ); replacing late Middle English cinamome < Middle French < Latin cinnamōmum < Greek kinnámōmon < Semitic as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinnamon¹

C15: from Old French cinnamome, via Latin and Greek, from Hebrew qinnamown

Example Sentences

“I always loved warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves,” Hutchings wrote.

From Salon

The latest announcement comes after the FDA issued a public health alert back in March on six brands of cinnamon products that had elevated levels of lead and chromium.

From Salon

Authorities claimed she had deliberately aborted her pregnancy, but medical experts say her method — eating a bunch of cinnamon — cannot induce a miscarriage.

From Salon

They were mixed with the go-to expensive spices of the day: cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cloves, ginger and sugar.

From Salon

Earlier this year, the FDA recalled 3 million cinnamon applesauce pouches that contained extremely high levels of lead, after dozens of children across the United States were found to be suffering from lead poisoning.

From Los Angeles Times