chanterelle
UK[ˌʃɒntəˈrɛl]US[ˌʃæntəˈrɛl]
n
An edible woodland mushroom with a yellow funnel-shaped cap and a distinctive fruity smell.
Etymology
The word 'chanterelle' entered English in the late 18th century, borrowed directly from the French name for the mushroom. The French term is a diminutive of 'chanterel', itself derived from the Late Latin 'cantharellus', meaning 'little cup'. This Latin word is a diminutive of 'cantharus', from the Greek 'kantharos', which referred to a type of drinking vessel or cup. The name is a vivid metaphor, as the shape of the mushroom's cap was seen to resemble a small, shallow drinking cup or goblet.
Analysis
This word is a loanword from French. It is not productively formed from separable English morphemes.
Examples
The forager returned with a basket full of golden chanterelles.
Chanterelles are prized by chefs for their delicate, peppery flavor.
You can distinguish a true chanterelle from look-alikes by its forked, blunt gills.