Hashish

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /həˈʃiːʃ/

Definitions

1. A psychoactive resin extracted from the cannabis plant that is typically smoked or ingested for its intoxicating effects
2. A concentrated substance derived from the cannabis plant that produces psychoactive effects when smoked or consumed
3. This is a potent form of cannabis obtained by separating trichomes, leading to a heightened sense of euphoria when used

Etymology: The most surprising thing about this word is how far its meaning has drifted from its origin. In Arabic, "ḥašīš" simply meant "hay" or "dried herb," a plain word for vegetation cut and left to dry. Its use for the intoxicating resin of cannabis came later, as the drug's preparations gained a reputation across the Arab world and beyond. The word passed into English as a borrowing, carrying its exotic association with it. Over time the sense narrowed from any dried plant material to one specific product, the resin prepared from the cannabis plant and consumed for its mind-altering effects. The shift from a humble agricultural term to a name for a potent drug is one of those changes where the original sense has almost vanished from ordinary use.

Synonyms: hash