sativa
sativa Lexical Profile
• noun
A tall, narrow-leaved annual herb of the genus Cannabis (family Cannabaceae), native to Eurasia and widely cultivated for industrial hemp fiber, seed oil, and medicinal or recreational compounds.
"Farmers have grown sativa for centuries to harvest its durable bast fibers for rope and textiles."
A cannabis preparation or strain derived from Cannabis sativa, typically associated with energizing or cerebral effects.
"The patient preferred a mild sativa during the daytime to avoid drowsiness."
• adjective
Relating to, derived from, or characteristic of the species Cannabis sativa or its cultivated varieties.
"The dispensary offers several sativa varieties known for their herbal aroma."
Used in botanical binomial nomenclature to indicate that a plant species is domestically sown or cultivated for agricultural or culinary use.
"Many staple crops carry the sativa epithet in their formal scientific names."
Word Nuance & Usage
In botanical nomenclature, 'sativa' is a Latin specific epithet meaning 'cultivated' (as in Avena sativa for oats or Lactuca sativa for lettuce), whereas in everyday English it almost exclusively refers to Cannabis sativa and its uplifting strains, contrasted with 'indica'.
• Rhymes for sativa
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Latin sativa, the feminine singular of sativus ('sown, planted, or cultivated'), derived from satum, the past participle of serere ('to sow').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.