Sorb
/sɔːrb/noun
A type of tree or shrub in the genus Sorbus, or its edible fruit.
Did you know?Sorb belongs to the same ancient botanical naming stream as Latin and Greek plant words, and its modern use survives in both the tree name and the fruit name.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Latin
Latin
sorbus
“the service tree or its fruit”
Late Latin
Latin
sorbum
“the fruit of the service tree”
Old French
OF
sorbe
“service tree fruit”
Middle English
English
sorbe
“the service tree or its fruit”
Modern English
English
sorb
“a service tree or shrub of the genus Sorbus, or its fruit”
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