su|mach

su|mac or su|mach «SOO mak, SHOO-», noun.

1. a shrub or small tree having divided leaves that turn scarlet in the autumn and long clusters of small, red or white, one-seeded fruit. In some species, such as the poison sumac and poison ivy, the foliage is poisonous to the touch.

2. the dried and powdered leaves and shoots of certain species, used in tanning and dyeing.

3. the wood of any of these plants.

╂[< Old French sumac, or Medieval Latin sumach < Arabic summāq]

Usage The «sh» of the second pronunciation arose during the Early Modern period, as in sure and sugar. Today the more common educated pronunciation appears to be the first, where the «s» has been restored, as in assume, ensue, suit, and the like, which were also at one time often pronounced with «sh».