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Teff

2 stages from Amharic to English.

Today it means A tiny, nutrient-dense cereal grain native to Ethiopia, ground into flour for injera bread and prized today as a gluten-free grain.

Where does the word "teff" come from? It comes from Amharic teffa, adopted directly into English (1800s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
teffa
Amharic · medieval
"a minute, easily-scattered cereal grain"
named for its tiny seeds, easily 'lost' during harvesting and threshing
2
Stage 2 of 2
teff
English · 1800s
"a tiny nutritious cereal grain"
borrowed directly as Western travelers described Ethiopia's staple grain
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