rhus
|rhus|
/ruːs/
sumac (plant genus)
Etymology
'rhus' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'ῥοῦς' (rhus), meaning 'sumach' or a type of shrub.
'rhus' passed into Latin as 'rhus' (or 'rhis') and was used in Medieval and New Latin for the plant genus; the modern botanical genus name 'Rhus' was adopted in scientific Latin and carried into English botanical usage.
Initially, it meant 'a sumach/shrub,' and over time it retained that botanical meaning as the name of the genus 'Rhus' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of flowering plants in the family Anacardiaceae, commonly called sumacs; includes shrubs and small trees often used ornamentally or for tanning and dyes.
Several species of Rhus are valued for their bright autumn foliage.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/22 04:04