Webster's English Dictionary

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sumac

su.mac or su.mach \'s(h)u:-.mak\ n [ME sumac, fr. MF, fr. Ar summa-q] 1: 
   any of a genus (Rhus of the family Anacardiaceae, the sumac family ) of 
   trees, shrubs, and woody vines with dioecious flowers and drupaceous fruits 
   and in some cases foliage poisonous to the touch - used esp. of innocuous 
   members of the genus; compare POISON IVY, POISON OAK 2: a material used in 
   tanning and dyeing that consists of dried powdered le aves and flowers of 
   various sumacs