ˈsas(ə)ˌfras, ˈsaas(ə)ˌfraa(ə)s, ˈsais(ə)ˌfrais noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Spanish sasafrás
1.
a. capitalized : a small genus of aromatic No. American and Asiatic trees (family Lauraceae) with soft yellow wood, ovate entire or 1- to 3-lobed leaves, dioecious yellow flowers in umbellate racemes, a 6-lobed perianth, and nine stamens in three rows
b. -es : a tall widely distributed tree ( S. albidum ) of eastern No. America with mucilaginous twigs and leaves — see tree illustration
2. -es : the dried bark of the root of the American sassafras used as a diaphoretic, a flavoring agent, an aromatic stimulant, or as a source of an aromatic volatile oil used in perfumes
3. -es
a. : any of several Australian trees of the family Monimiaceae with aromatic bark used especially for flavoring: as
(1) : a medium-sized tree ( Atherosperma moschatum ) with soft grayish to nearly black wood used especially in cabinetry and for carving or turning
(2) : a tree ( Daphnandra micrantha ) with pale yellowish easily worked wood and a bark rich in physiologically active alkaloids
(3) : an often large tree ( Doryphora sassafras ) with starry white flowers and bright glossy foliage that yields a yellowish wood suitable for flooring
b. : the bark of any of these trees