sesame

noun ses·a·me \ˈse-sə-mē also ˈse-zə-\

: a plant that is grown in warm regions and that produces small flat seeds that are used in cooking and as a source of oil

Full Definition of SESAME

: a widely cultivated chiefly tropical or subtropical annual erect herb (Sesamum indicum of the family Pedaliaceae); also : its small seeds used especially as a source of oil and a flavoring agent

: open sesame

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Illustration of SESAME

Origin of SESAME

alteration of earlier sesam, sesama, from Latin sesamum, sesama, from Greek sēsamon, sēsamē, of Semitic origin; akin to Akkadian šamaššamu sesame

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Medical Dictionary

sesame

noun ses·a·me \ˈses-ə-mē also ˈsez-\

Medical Definition of SESAME

: a widely cultivated annual erect herb (Sesamum indicum synonym S. orientale of the family Pedaliaceae); also : its small somewhat flat seeds used as a source of sesame oil and a flavoring agent