type of fine Turkish tobacco, 1833, from Latakia, city in Syria (see Laodicean).
Entries linking to latakia
Laodicean adj.
"lukewarm in religion," 1560s, from Laodicea, ancient city of Phrygia Minor (modern Latakia in Syria) whose early Christians were chastised in the Bible for indifference to their religion (Revelation iii:14-16). The city is said to be named for the 3c B.C.E. Syrian queen Laodice, wife of Antiochus II.