/sooh"mak, shooh"-/ , n.
1. any of several shrubs or small trees belonging to the genus Rhus of the cashew family, having milky sap, compound leaves, and small, fleshy fruit.
2. a preparation of the dried and powdered leaves, bark, etc., of certain species of Rhus, esp. R. coriaria of southern Europe, used esp. in tanning.
3. the wood of these trees.
Also, sumach .
[ 1250-1300; ME summaq ]