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

"The established theory states that larger seeds, such as chestnuts and acorns, are subject to removal and caching, while smaller seeds are consumed more quickly. However, our results revealed that even much smaller seeds, such as those of Sasa borealils, that weigh as little as about 0.025 g per seed, are also a caching target of mice. Therefore, the dispersal and storage behavior of field mice for seeds as small as sassafras suggests that the established theory needs to be revised."

From Science Daily

And while many of these sarsaparilla-free drinks still were called sarsaparilla, sometimes that sassafras drink was simply called “root beer.”

From Seattle Times

It’s an open question as to why sassafras root came to replace sarsaparilla in most root beer recipes, but it might have to do with sarsaparilla’s strong, somewhat bitter flavor profile.

From Seattle Times

But sassafras is also medicinal; it induces sweating, and was used to treat hangovers and morphine addiction.

From Seattle Times

Many of the root beers of today still taste like sassafras, however, from artificial sassafras flavoring or extracts without safrole.

From Seattle Times