marijuana

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a strong-smelling plant from whose dried leaves a number of euphoriant and hallucinogenic drugs are prepared
  2. noun the most commonly used illicit drug; considered a soft drug, it consists of the dried leaves of the hemp plant; smoked or chewed for euphoric effect

Etymology

Borrowed from Mexican Spanish marihuana, from mariguana. First attested in 1874 in the publications of Hubert Howe Bancroft. Altered by influence of a folk etymology involving the proper name María Juana (“Mary Jane”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

marihuana, ganja, Cannabis sativa

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