different between sassafras vs sarsaparilla

English

Alternative forms

• saxefras [17th c.]

Etymology

From Spanish sasafrás, possibly from Latin saxifragus (“stone-breaking”) from the habit of certain plants growing in cracks in boulders.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -??s
• (UK) IPA^(key): /?sas?f?as/

Noun

sassafras (countable and uncountable, plural sassafrases)

1. (countable) A tree of species Sassafras albidum of the eastern United States and Asia having mitten-shaped leaves and red, aromatic heartwood.
2. (countable) A tree of any species in the genus Sassafras.
3. (uncountable) The bark of the root of this plant, used for medicinal and (mostly historically) culinary purposes and formerly a main ingredient in root beer.
   • 1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, in Kupperman 1988, p. 82:

     our allowance was somewhat bettered, by a daily proportion of Bisket, which the sailers would pilfer to sell, give, or exchange with us, for money, Saxefras, furres, or love.

Synonyms

• cinnamonwood

Derived terms

• Australian sassafras
• black sassafras (Cinnamomum oliveri)
• blackheart sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum)
• Chilean sassafras (Laurelia sempervirens)
• New Zealand sassafras (Laurelia novae-zelandiae)
• sassafras nut
• southern sassafras (Atherospermataceae spp.)
• swamp sassafras

Translations

See also

• Sassafras on Wikispecies.Wikispecies

Finnish

Noun

sassafras

1. sassafras (tree of the genus Sassafras; its bark)

Declension

Compounds

• amerikansassafras

English

Alternative forms

• sarsparilla, sasaparilla, sasparilla

Etymology

From Spanish zarzaparrilla. The first element may ultimately derive from Basque; see Spanish zarza (“blackberry bush”) for more.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?s??sp????l?/
• (Northern England) IPA^(key): /?sasp????l?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?sæsp????l?/

Noun

sarsaparilla (countable and uncountable, plural sarsaparillas)

1. Any of various tropical (Central and South) American vines of the genus Smilax, such as Smilax regelii, which have fragrant roots.
2. The dried roots of these plants, or a flavoring material extracted from these roots.
3. A beverage (soft drink) flavored with this root, such as root beer.
   • 1951, John Lardner, Strong Cigars and Lovely Women, page 4:

     “ […] If Cassidy goes around shooting their fingers off, how are they going to lift their sarsaparilla?” “Rustlers don't drink sarsaparilla,” came the reply, ending the conversation and throwing me back inside my twenty-yard line.

   • 1985, Jill Davies, A Garden of Miracles, ?ISBN, page 52:

     Many root teas taste delightful and the old American drink, sarsaparilla, was made on the lines of a decoction, while its pleasant taste was known by most of Victorian Britain.
4. Any of several North American plants, of the genus Aralia, having umbels and small white flowers.

Translations

Further reading

• sarsaparilla on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Finnish

Noun

sarsaparilla

1. sarsaparilla (any tree of the genus Smilax; their roots)

Declension