hemp
UK: hɛmp | US: hɛmp
n. 1. A tall plant of the cannabis family, cultivated for its fibrous stems (used in rope, textiles, etc.) and edible seeds.
n. 2. The fiber obtained from this plant, used industrially.
n. 3. (Informal) Cannabis, especially when used as a drug.
The word "hemp" traces back to Old English hænep, derived from Proto-Germanic hanapiz, which likely borrowed from an earlier Scythian or Thracian term. The plant's name spread across Eurasia with minimal phonetic changes, reflecting its ancient role in fiber production. Unlike many loanwords, "hemp" retains its original structure without clear morpheme divisions, as it entered English as a monomorphic term.
Farmers in medieval Europe grew hemp for making durable ropes.
Hemp fabric is eco-friendly and increasingly popular in sustainable fashion.
The legalization debate often conflates industrial hemp with psychoactive cannabis.
Hemp seeds are a nutritious addition to smoothies and salads.
Ancient Chinese texts document hemp cultivation over 6,000 years ago.