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syrup

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ˈsɝəp// UK //sˈɪɹʌp// syrup Slang

n. a thick, sweet liquid made by dissolving sugar in water or juice. You often pour it over pancakes or use it to flavor drinks.

n. a thick, viscous liquid consisting primarily of a solution of sugar in water or fruit juice. Often used as a base for medicinal liquids or as a culinary topping.


SIMPLE

I like to pour maple syrup on my waffles.

CONTEXTUAL

The pharmacist explained that the cough medicine comes in a thick syrup to help coat the throat.

COMPLEX

Artisanal producers often boil the sap for hours to achieve the desired density and rich amber color characteristic of high-quality maple syrup.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English sirup, from Old French sirop, from Medieval Latin siruppus, syrupus, from Arabic شَرَاب (šarāb, “a drink, beverage, wine, coffee, syrup”), from شَرِبَ (šariba, “to drink”). Doublet of sirop. Related to sorbet, sherbet, sharbat. Compare French sirop, Italian siroppo, sciroppo, Spanish jarabe, jarope, Portuguese xarope, and Dutch siroop and stroop. The first known use of the spelling sirup was in the 14th century.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the substance in general; countable when referring to specific types or varieties.

Idioms1 entry

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