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cof·fee

(kôfē, kŏfē)

a. Any of various tropical African shrubs or trees of the genus Coffea, especially C. arabica or C. canephora, widely cultivated in the tropics for their seeds that are dried, roasted, and ground to prepare a stimulating aromatic drink.

b. The beanlike seeds of this plant, two of which are found in each fruit.

c. The beverage prepared from the seeds of this plant: likes to drink coffee with breakfast.

d. A serving of such a beverage: ordered two coffees with sugar.

2. A moderate brown to dark brown or dark grayish brown.

3. An informal social gathering at which coffee and other refreshments are served.

[Alteration (influenced by Italian caffè, from Ottoman Turkish) of Ottoman Turkish qahve, from Arabic qahwa; see qhw in Semitic roots.]

(click for a larger image)

coffee

fruits of a coffee plant

Coffea arabica

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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