Translingual

Sesamum indicum - botanical features.

Wikispecies

Proper noun

Sesamum n

1. A taxonomic genus within the family Pedaliaceae - sesame.

Hyponyms

• (genus): Sesamum indicum

See also

See Wikipedia for species.

English

Noun

sesamum ‎(uncountable)

1. (archaic) sesame
   • 1760, Robert Kerr, A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. 1:

     While at play for this extraordinary stake, they have a fire by them, on which a small pot of walnut oil, or oil of sesamum, is kept boiling; and when one has won a game, he chops off the end of the loser's finger, who immediately dips the stump into the boiling oil, to stem the blood; and some will persist so obstinately, as to have all their fingers thus mutilated.

   • 1896, Edward Washburn Hopkins, The Religions of India:

     The latter is called the feast of 'six sesamum acts,' for sesamum is a holy plant, and in each act of this rite it plays a part.