sulla

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun perennial of southern Europe cultivated for forage and for its nectar-rich pink flowers that make it an important honey crop
  2. noun Roman general and dictator (138-78 BC)

Etymology

Borrowed from Punjabi ਸੁੱਲਾ (sullā, “Muslim (derogatory)”). This word is likely a mispronunciation (or perhaps a misspelling in Gurmukhi script) of Punjabi ਮੁੱਲਾ (mullā, “mullah, Islamic religious leader”), derived from Classical Persian ملا (mullā), ultimately from Arabic مُلَّا (mullā). It may also be a contraction of Punjabi ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨ (muslamān, “Muslim”) or Punjabi ਮੁਸਲਾ (muslā, “"carpet kisser", another derogatory term for Muslims, but also refers to a mat or carpet used for Muslim prayers”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

French honeysuckle, Hedysarum coronarium

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