sassafras

[ sas-uh-fras ]

noun

1. an American tree, Sassafras albidum, of the laurel family, having egg-shaped leaves and long clusters of greenish-yellow flowers.
2. the aromatic bark of its root, used medicinally and especially for flavoring beverages, confectionery, etc.

sassafras

/ ˈsæsəˌfræs /

noun

1. an aromatic deciduous lauraceous tree, Sassafras albidum, of North America, having three-lobed leaves and dark blue fruits
2. the aromatic dried root bark of this tree, used as a flavouring, and yielding sassafras oil
3. any of several unrelated trees having a similar fragrant bark

Word History and Origins

Origin of sassafras¹

First recorded in 1570–80, sassafras is from the Spanish word sasafrás

Word History and Origins

Origin of sassafras¹

C16: from Spanish sasafrás, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Below Whitney’s gravesite, Charap brought me to a colony of sassafras trees that had taken over the hillside.

From Popular-Science

Tasting it recently, I found the wine beautifully integrated, with lovely savory notes of dark cherry, sassafras and mushrooms.

From Washington Post

Burial 15 was a teenager who had been laid to rest with care and what may have been sprigs of sassafras.

From Washington Post

Sassafras, youre feeding Tessie too much red meat, said Tootles, shifting his metaphors as Sam came to the rescue.

From Project Gutenberg

Sassafras received orders to announce that he was out, except to two men, lawyers evidently, who came from time to time.

From Project Gutenberg

Another thing they noticed was that he did not leave the arcade or indeed the sixth floor, having his meals sent in by Sassafras.

From Project Gutenberg

He called up Sassafras and put him on watch for any new attempt, improbable though it might be.

From Project Gutenberg

But as they were studying over ways and means, Myrtle Popper came in with fresh information by way of Sassafras.

From Project Gutenberg