black cumin
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Tweet n. 1. The small black pungent seeds of an annual herb (Nigella sativa) of the buttercup family native to southwest Asia, used as a seasoning in southern and western Asian cuisines and for medicinal purposes. Also called nigella. 2. The dark brown, crescent-shaped seeds of an herb (Bunium persicum) of the parsley family native to southwest Asia, used as a seasoning in southern and western Asian cuisines. [Sense 2, translation of Hindi kālā jīrā (kālā, black + jīrā, cumin) and Urdu kālā zīra (kālā, black + zīra, cumin).] |
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