Balsamico
/ˌbæl.səˈmiː.koʊ/noun
A balsamic-style vinegar, especially the dark, aged vinegar associated with Italian cooking.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Semitic root behind Greek and Latin words for aromatic healing resin, so its “sweet” culinary aura began as something closer to a sacred medicine than a condiment.
Etymological Timeline
Semitic root
Semitic
*baśam-
“A fragrant spice, resin, or aromatic substance”
Ancient Greek
Greek
βάλσαμον (bálsamon)
“An aromatic resin or healing balm”
Latin
Latin
balsamum
“Balsam; a fragrant medicinal resin”
Medieval Italian
Italian
balsamico
“Balsamic; having the qualities of balsam or healing fragrance”
Modern English
English
balsamic
“Relating to balsam or to a dark, tangy vinegar made in the Italian style”