granola
UK[ɡrəˈnəʊlə]US[ɡrəˈnoʊlə]
n
a type of breakfast food consisting of rolled oats, nuts, honey, and sometimes dried fruit, usually baked until crisp.
Morpheme Breakdown
gran
ola
gran
grain
ola
diminutive suffix
Etymology
The word 'granola' is a modern creation, coined in the late 19th century. It was formed by combining the latin root 'gran-', meaning 'grain', with the diminutive suffix '-ola', likely to suggest a product made from small grains or to create a pleasing, marketable name. The term was trademarked by dr. john harvey kellogg for a baked whole-grain cereal, though it later became generic. Its etymology reflects a straightforward construction where the literal meaning of 'little grains' logically aligns with the food's primary ingredients and texture.
Analysis
Structure: gran (grain) + ola (diminutive suffix)
gran originates from the latin 'granum', meaning 'grain'. ola is a diminutive suffix of italian or spanish origin, indicating 'small' or 'little'.
Examples
she prefers granola with yogurt and fresh berries for breakfast.
the health food store sells several varieties of homemade granola.
he packed a bag of granola for a quick snack during the hike.