flan
UK[flæn]US[flæn]
n
a baked dessert consisting of an open pastry or sponge case filled with fruit or a savory mixture.
n
a sweet custard dessert topped with caramel.
Etymology
the word "flan" entered english in the mid-19th century from french, where it referred to a type of open tart. the french term itself derives from old french "flaon," which has its roots in the late latin word "fladōnem," meaning a flat cake or custard. this latin term is believed to be of germanic origin, likely from the frankish "flado," a word related to the idea of something flat or broad, which also gave rise to the modern german "fladen" (a flat cake or loaf). the culinary journey of the word reflects the evolution of the dish from a simple flat cake to the specific sweet or savory baked custard or tart known today.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it is not productively formed from separable english morphemes.
Examples
for dessert, she served a rich caramel flan.
the menu featured a savory spinach and cheese flan.
he followed his grandmother's recipe to make the perfect flan.