almond
UK[ˈɑːmənd]US[ˈɑːmənd], [ˈælmənd]
n
the oval edible nutlike seed (kernel) of a tree of the rose family, growing in a hard shell.
n
the tree that produces this nut, with pink or white blossom and leaves that appear after the flowers.
Etymology
the word 'almond' entered english via old french 'alemande' or 'almande'. its ultimate source is the latin 'amygdala', which itself was borrowed from the ancient greek 'ἀμυγδάλη' (amygdalē). the greek term likely has a pre-greek, possibly semitic origin, reflected in related words like the hebrew 'שָׁקֵד' (shāqēd). the significant phonetic transformation from 'amygdala' to 'almond' occurred in the romance languages, where the initial 'a-' was reinterpreted as the arabic definite article 'al-' (the), leading to forms like the spanish 'almendra'. this fascinating rebracketing, combined with sound shifts, created the modern english form, obscuring its original morphological structure while preserving its core meaning related to the nut.
Analysis
this word is a simplex loanword. its spelling and form have been shaped through a long journey of borrowing, making its constituent morphemes not clearly separable in modern english.
Examples
she sprinkled sliced almonds over the salad.
the almond trees were in full, beautiful bloom.
almond milk is a popular dairy alternative.