Ulmin
/ˈʌl.mɪn/noun
A dark brown, humus-like substance once believed to form from the decay of plant matter, especially elm bark.
Did you know?Ulmin was named through its association with the elm, whose bark was historically observed to yield dark, humus-like material during decomposition.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*elmos
“Elm tree”
Ancient Latin
Latin
ulmus
“Elm tree”
16th Century
Latin
ulminum
“A substance associated with elm or vegetable decomposition”
18th Century
French
ulmine
“Dark organic matter formed through plant decay”
19th Century
English
ulmin
“A dark humus-like substance”
Modern English
English
ulmin
“An obsolete or specialized term for dark organic matter from decomposed vegetation”