How Do You Spell SESAME?

Pronunciation: [sˈɛsɐmˌi] (IPA)

Sesame, a word we commonly associate with the small seeds used in cooking, has a relatively straightforward spelling. The first syllable, "se," is pronounced like the letter "see," while the second syllable, "same," uses a soft "a" sound, like "say." In IPA phonetic transcription, this would be written as /ˈsɛsəmi/. While the word may seem simple to spell and pronounce in English, its origin can be traced back to various languages including Arabic, Hebrew, and Greek.

SESAME Meaning and Definition

  1. Sesame, noun:

    1. A flowering plant (Sesamum indicum) native to tropical regions and cultivated for its seeds, which are rich in oil content and possess culinary and medicinal uses. Sesame is a member of the Pedaliaceae family and is characterized by oblong-shaped leaves, tubular flowers ranging from pale pink to white or purple, and small, flat oval seeds.

    2. The seeds of the sesame plant, commonly known as sesame seeds or "benne seeds." Sesame seeds are small, glossy, and typically pale yellowish to tan in color. They are widely used in culinary practices, especially in cooking and baking, due to their distinct nutty flavor and delicate crunch. Sesame seeds are also highly nutritious, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

    3. A flavorful and aromatic oil extracted from sesame seeds, known as sesame oil. This amber-colored oil is commonly used for cooking purposes, mainly in Asian cuisine, due to its ability to withstand high temperatures. Sesame oil is also utilized in various beauty and wellness products for its moisturizing and rejuvenating properties.

    4. A phrase or action rooted in ancient folklore and derived from the popular folk tale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." The expression "Open Sesame" is used figuratively to signify a magical or effective means to access or reveal something hidden or secret.

    Sesame and its various forms have been integrated into diverse cultures around the world and continue to play significant roles in culinary, medicinal, and cultural practices.

  2. An herb, Sesamum indicum, the seeds of which contain a fixed oil, oleum sesami, used as a food.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. A plant producing an oily grain, chiefly cultivated in the East and in Egypt.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SESAME *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SESAME

Etymology of SESAME

The word "sesame" originates from the ancient Semitic languages. It derives from the Aramaic word "shūmshēmā" or the similar Hebrew word "šəmšēmē", meaning "oil or fat". This word was then borrowed into Arabic as "simsim". The term eventually made its way into various languages, including Latin (sesamum) and Greek (sēsamon), before being adapted into English as "sesame".

Idioms with the word SESAME

  • an open sesame The idiom "an open sesame" means a phrase or action that possesses magical or extraordinary power to open or unlock something that was previously inaccessible or difficult to approach. It refers to the story "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" from One Thousand and One Nights, where the phrase "Open Sesame" is used to reveal the hidden entrance to a cave filled with treasures. In a broader sense, "an open sesame" can be used to describe anything that simplifies or eases access to a place, opportunity, or solution.
  • open sesame The idiom "open sesame" is a phrase derived from the story of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" in "One Thousand and One Nights." It refers to a magical command used to open a hidden or locked door. Figuratively, it means a simple and effective way to gain access to or solve a difficult situation or problem.

Similar spelling words for SESAME

Plural form of SESAME is SESAMES

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