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Glite Dictionary
Cinnamomum zeylanicum

Cinnamomum zeylanicum

9.9
A tropical Asian evergreen tree with sweet-smelling bark used to make cinnamon
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : canela de Ceilán
  • The bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum is used to make cinnamon.

Examples

  • The bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum is harvested to produce high-quality cinnamon.

  • Researchers studied the essential oils derived from Cinnamomum zeylanicum leaves.

  • Farmers in Sri Lanka grow Cinnamomum zeylanicum for its valuable aromatic bark.

  • Is Cinnamomum zeylanicum the same as cassia?

  • Farmers in Sri Lanka grow Cinnamomum zeylanicum for its valuable aromatic bark.

  • The bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum is harvested to produce high-quality cinnamon.

  • Researchers studied the essential oils derived from Cinnamomum zeylanicum leaves.

Synonyms

cinnamon
vsCinnamomum zeylanicum
6 1.0

A tropical tree with aromatic yellow-brown bark that people use to make a spice

is the scientific species name for the main cultivated spice source
Ceylon cinnamon
vsCinnamomum zeylanicum
4.9

A tropical tree with thin, fragrant brown bark that people use as a spice in baking

is the scientific name used for the primary cultivated spice source
Ceylon cinnamon tree
vsCinnamomum zeylanicum
  • Specialized
7.1

A tropical tree from Sri Lanka with thin, fragrant bark used as true cinnamon

is the formal scientific name for the tree cultivated for the spice

Surface Forms

Cinnamomum zeylanicum singular
Cinnamomum zeylanicums plural

Morphology

Cinnamomum + zeylanicum

This is a Latin binomial: 'Cinnamomum' denotes the cinnamon genus so a learner who knows that could infer it refers to a cinnamon-type tree. However, 'zeylanicum' is not an English lexical item (its meaning 'of Ceylon/Sri Lanka' requires botanical/Latin knowledge), so the full specific sense is not predictable for a B1 learner and the name is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Cinnamomum zeylanicum is a scientific name that tells a simple story. Cinnamomum is the old word for the cinnamon tree and zeylanicum means 'from Ceylon', the old name for Sri Lanka, so the full name literally labels the cinnamon tree of Sri Lanka.