syrup

UK: ˈsɪrəp | US: ˈsɪrəp

Definition

  1. n. a thick, sweet liquid made by dissolving sugar in boiling water, often flavored or medicated

  2. n. a concentrated sugar solution used in food or pharmaceutical preparations

Structure
syr <from Arabic "sharāb">up <variant of Latin "-up">syr <from Arabic "sharāb" (drink, wine)>up <variant of Latin "-up" (a suffix in medieval Latin "siropus")>
Etymology

The word "syrup" traces back to the Arabic "sharāb," meaning "drink" or "wine," reflecting its early use as a sweetened medicinal or culinary liquid. It entered Medieval Latin as "siropus" and Old French as "sirop," eventually evolving into the English "syrup." The modern spelling preserves the Arabic root while adapting to European linguistic patterns.

Examples

  1. She drizzled maple syrup over her pancakes.

  2. The pharmacist prepared a cough syrup with honey and herbs.

  3. This dessert is topped with a rich chocolate syrup.

  4. The recipe calls for simple syrup to sweeten the cocktail.

  5. He stirred the syrup into his tea for extra sweetness.