cassia
cassia Lexical Profile
cassia Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The aromatic dried bark of an East Asian evergreen tree (Cinnamomum cassia), having a pungent, sweet flavor similar to true cinnamon and widely sold commercially as culinary cinnamon.
"Most ground cinnamon sold in North American supermarkets is actually made from the thicker, more pungent bark of cassia."
An evergreen tree (Cinnamomum cassia) of the laurel family Lauraceae, native to southern China and mainland Southeast Asia, cultivated for its aromatic bark and buds.
"Farmers in southern China harvest the inner bark of the cassia during the rainy season when it peels away easily."
Any of various tropical and subtropical trees or shrubs of the genus Cassia (and related genera such as Senna) in the pea family Fabaceae, cultivated as ornamentals for their showy, pendulous clusters of bright yellow, pink, or golden blossoms and long seed pods.
"In late spring, the golden-shower cassia along the avenue bursts into cascading clusters of bright yellow blossoms."
A tropical leguminous shrub or herb of the genus Cassia or Senna whose leaves and pods yield medicinal senna.
"Herbalists historically steeped dried cassia pods and leaves to prepare a potent natural laxative."
Word Nuance & Usage
In culinary and botanical contexts, 'cassia' designates two entirely unrelated plant groups: the spice derived from Cinnamomum cassia (in the laurel family Lauraceae, widely sold as commercial cinnamon) and the ornamental flowering trees of the genus Cassia (in the legume family Fabaceae).
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Latin cassia from Ancient Greek kasia, which itself was adapted from a Semitic root (compare Hebrew qetsi'ah, meaning 'to strip off bark') referring to a cinnamon-like aromatic bark.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.