bulgur
UK[ˈbʌl.ɡə]US[ˈbʊl.ɡər]
n
A cereal food made from whole wheat that is partially boiled, dried, and then cracked into coarse grains.
Etymology
The word 'bulgur' entered English in the 20th century from Turkish, where it is spelled 'bulgur'. The Turkish term itself originates from Persian 'bulghur', meaning "bruised grain". This etymology directly reflects the food's preparation process, where wheat is parboiled, dried, and then cracked or bruised. While the ultimate roots may trace back further, the word's journey into English is a straightforward borrowing, capturing both the product and its traditional method of production from Middle Eastern and Mediterranean culinary traditions.
Analysis
This word is a loanword borrowed as a single, unanalyzable unit into English. Its components are not productive morphemes within the English language system.
Examples
Bulgur is a staple ingredient in dishes like tabbouleh and kibbeh.
For a quick meal, she prepared a salad with chopped vegetables and cooked bulgur.
Compared to rice, bulgur has a higher fiber content and a nuttier flavor.