jessamine
|jes-sa-mine|
🇺🇸
/ˈdʒɛsəmɪn/
🇬🇧
/ˈdʒɛsəmiːn/
fragrant jasmine plant (poetic variant)
Etymology
'jessamine' originates from Medieval/Modern English, ultimately via Old French 'jasmin' (or 'jasmin(e)'), where the element comes from Arabic 'yāsamīn' and Persian 'yāsamīn' referring to the jasmine plant.
'jessamine' changed from Old French 'jasmin' (from Medieval Latin 'jasminum'), adapted into Middle English as 'jasemine' or 'jasmine'; the spelling 'jessamine' appeared as a literary/poetic variant in Early Modern English, influenced by French forms and the adjectival/nominal suffix '-ine'.
Initially it meant 'the jasmine plant' in reference to the specific fragrant shrub; over time its sense broadened to include various species of jasmine, a literary/poetic form, and eventually a feminine given name.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a climbing shrub or vine of the genus Jasminum, noted for its small fragrant white or yellow flowers (a form of jasmine).
A jessamine climbed the trellis and filled the garden with its sweet scent.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a poetic or archaic name for the jasmine plant or its flowers; often used in literature and perfumery contexts.
The poem spoke of nights perfumed by jessamine and moonlight.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/12 23:17