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Manioc

3 stages from Tupi to English.

Today it means a starchy tropical root crop, also known as cassava, that is a staple food in many tropical countries

Where does the word "manioc" come from? It comes from Tupi mandioca, passing through Portuguese/French before entering English (1560s-1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
mandioca
Tupi · pre-1500s
"a starchy edible root"
named the starchy root crop cultivated throughout South America
2
Stage 2 of 3
manioc
Portuguese/French · 1560s
"a starchy tropical root crop"
adopted by Portuguese and French colonists for the same crop
3
Stage 3 of 3
manioc
English · 1560s-1600s
"cassava, a starchy tropical root crop"
borrowed into English through colonial accounts of Brazilian agriculture
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