syrup

• sirop, sirup (both obsolete)

From Middle English sirup, from Old French sirop, from Medieval Latin siruppus, syrupus, from Arabic شَرَاب‎ (šarāb, “a drink, beverage, wine, coffee, syrup”), from شَرِبَ‎ (šariba, “to drink”). Related to sorbet, sherbet. Compare French sirop, Italian siroppo, sciroppo, Spanish jarabe, jarope, Portuguese xarope, and Dutch siroop and stroop.

The first known use of the spelling sirup was in the 14th century.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈsɪɹəp/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈsɪɹəp/, /ˈsiː.ɹəp/, /ˈsɝ.əp/, /sʲɝ.ʌp/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

syrup (countable and uncountable, plural syrups)

1. Any thick liquid that is added to or poured over food as a flavouring and has a high sugar content.

   maple syrup

   pancake syrup

   peaches in syrup

   cough syrup

2. Any viscous liquid.

   rose syrup = rosewater

3. (Cockney rhyming slang, shortened from "syrup of figs") A wig.

• pursy