Agency Dictionary
cinnamon
nounPronunciation: /ˈsɪnəmən/
In Portuguese: canela
History & Civilizations
Economics & FinanceWhat does “cinnamon” mean?
An aromatic spice obtained from the stripped inner bark of several tree species of the genus Cinnamomum.
Etymology
From Old French cinnamome, from Latin cinnamomum and cinnamon, from Greek kinnamomon and kinnamon. The Greek word was borrowed from a Semitic language, probably Phoenician, and is related to Hebrew qinnamon; its ultimate origin is unknown. The spice reached the ancient Mediterranean through long trade routes from southern Asia. The word has been in English since the Middle Ages.
Usage note
Spelled with a double n and a single m. The word also names a warm reddish-brown colour.
Often confused with
- cassia
- Cassia is the bark of a related tree, stronger and coarser in flavour, and is often sold as cinnamon; true cinnamon comes from Cinnamomum verum.
Word family
- cinnamic
Usage examples
“What do you mean by - an increase of 100% in the price - of my cinnamon?
Concept
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
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