abelmosk

noun

abel·​mosk

ˈābəlˌmäsk

variants or less commonly abelmusk

-ˌməsk

plural -s

: a bushy herb (Abelmoschus moschatus synonym Hibiscus moschatus) of tropical Asia often cultivated for its showy, usually creamy yellow flowers with deep purple centers and musky-scented seeds see ambrette sense 2b

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin abelmosch, borrowed from Arabic ḥabb al misk, literally, "seeds of the musk"

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined above

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