Cumin \Cum"in\ (k?m"?n), n. [OE.comin, AS. cymen, fr. L.
cuminum, Gr. ???????; of Semitic origin, cf. Ar. kamm?n, Heb.
kamm?n; cf. OF. comin, F. cumin. Cf. Kummel.] (Bot.)
A dwarf umbelliferous plant, somewhat resembling fennel
(Cuminum Cyminum), cultivated for its seeds, which have a
bitterish, warm taste, with an aromatic flavor, and are used
like those of anise and caraway. [Written also cummin.]
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Rank-smelling rue, and cumin good for eyes. --Spenser.
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Black cumin (Bot.), a plant (Nigella sativa) with pungent
seeds, used by the Afghans, etc.
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Cummin
(Heb. kammon; i.e., a "condiment"), the fruit or seed of an
umbelliferous plant, the Cuminum sativum, still extensively
cultivated in the East. Its fruit is mentioned in Isa. 28:25,
27. In the New Testament it is mentioned in Matt. 23:23, where
our Lord pronounces a "woe" on the scribes and Pharisees, who
were zealous in paying tithes of "mint and anise and cummin,"
while they omitted the weightier matters of the law." "It is
used as a spice, both bruised, to mix with bread, and also
boiled, in the various messes and stews which compose an
Oriental banquet." Tristram, Natural History.
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