origin of semolina - from "bran" or "fine flour"?

[curwin]

There seems to be a consensus from most dictionaries that the word semolina derives from the Italian semola, meaning “bran”, which in turn comes from the Latin simila, meaning “fine flour”. As bran and fine flour are basically opposites - does anyone know how this came to be?

If not - do you know any experts who I could consult with?

[sailor]

I do not see the contradiction. It is a type of flour which has more bran than fine flour.

[curwin]

Maybe I wasn’t clear. Take a look at this etymology:

semolina
1797, alteration of It. semolino, dim. of semola “bran,” from L. simila “the finest flour,” probably from the same Semitic source as Gk. semidalis “the finest flour” (cf. Assyrian samidu, Syrian semida “fine meal”).

So while perhaps semolina has qualities of both bran and flour, semola was only bran. So why would it derive from a word meaning “fine flour”?

[hibernicus]

I don’t think it is correct that semola means bran. It is the flour of the hard wheat used for making pasta.

[sailor]

Sorry but I still do not see the issue.

semolina hard grains left after bolting of flour. XVIII. alt. of It. semolino, dim. of semola bran, based on L. simila flour.

This seems like quite a natural evolution of words and meaning. Bran and flour are quite related. You could ask the same question about most words in any language.

matinée (plural matinées) - A showing of a movie or theatrical performance in the afternoon.

From the French “matin” , morning.

[curwin]

@hibernicus

I don’t think it is correct that semola means bran. It is the flour of the hard wheat used for making pasta.

Cassel’s Italian Dictionary (click here and search for “semola”) has semola meaning both bran and fine flour.

[curwin]

Thanks to everyone for their help.

I finished my research and my post is up here:

solet and semolina