teff

[ tef ]

noun

1. a grass, Eragrostis tef, native to the Horn of Africa, where it is cultivated for its edible seeds.
2. the edible seeds of the grass Eragrostis tef.
3. Sometimes teff flour. a flour made from the edible seeds of the grass Eragrostis tef, used especially in the cuisine of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Word History and Origins

Origin of teff¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from Amharic t’ef; compare Geez t’ah’əf, t’ayəf

Example Sentences

About the 20th of November they reap the first barley, then the wheat, and last of all the 'teff.'

From Project Gutenberg

Thin unleavened cakes of sour teff heaped one upon the other served as platters.

From Project Gutenberg

The Teff is almost deserted, and near the sources of the Japur there remained but the fragments of the great nation of the Umaa.

From Project Gutenberg

About the 20th of November they begin to reap, first the barley, then the wheat, and lastly the teff.

From Project Gutenberg