nutmeg
Americannoun
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the hard, aromatic seed of the fruit of an East Indian tree, Myristica fragrans, used in grated form as a spice.
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the similar product of certain other trees of the same genus or other genera.
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a tree bearing such seeds.
noun
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an East Indian evergreen tree, Myristica fragrans, cultivated in the tropics for its hard aromatic seed: family Myristicaceae See also mace 2
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the seed of this tree, used as a spice
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any of several similar trees or their fruit
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a greyish-brown colour
verb
Other Word Forms
- nutmegged adjective
Etymology
Origin of nutmeg
1300–50; Middle English notemug ( g ) e, perhaps back formation from *notemugede ( -ede being taken as -ed 3 ), equivalent to note nut + mugede < Old French < Late Latin muscāta musky; musk, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The steakhouse creamed spinach, perfumed with nutmeg and unapologetically rich.
From Salon
Wafting through the air is a medley of warm spices I grew up savoring: nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, black pepper and ginger.
From Salon
There’s a light brown seasoning sprinkled on top of them, probably nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice.
From Literature
Once you know those, you’re free to riff — to add lemon zest or nutmeg or a fistful of herbs — the culinary equivalent of adding fringe.
From Salon
I’ve seen everything from nutmeg to mustard to egg listed as optional recommended additions.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
