Santalum
/ˈsæn.tə.ləm/noun
A genus of tropical trees and shrubs, including sandalwood, valued for their fragrant heartwood and essential oils.
Did you know?Latin santalum came through Greek from an Asian trade name for sandalwood, and the same ancient word ultimately gave English both sandal and sandalwood.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
sándalon / sántalon
“A sandal; later also a term associated with sandalwood in learned transmission from eastern trade vocabulary.”
Late Latin
Latin
santalum
“Sandalwood; the fragrant wood imported from the East.”
Old French
Old French
sandal
“A sandal or slipper; later influenced by learned forms connected with sandalwood.”
Middle English
English
sandal
“A light shoe with an open top and sole held on by straps.”
Modern English
English
sandalwood / Santalum
“The aromatic wood or the botanical genus producing it.”
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