harissa
UK[həˈrɪsə]US[həˈriːsə]
n
A spicy paste or sauce from North African cuisine, made from chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and various spices.
Etymology
The word 'harissa' entered English as a direct borrowing from North African Arabic, specifically denoting the piquant chili paste. Its Arabic root, 'ḥarasa,' carries the core meaning of pounding or crushing, which is the essential culinary action in preparing the paste by grinding chilies and spices. This etymological journey from a verb describing a physical action to a noun naming a specific food product illustrates how a preparation method can become the defining name for a dish. The term reflects the cultural transmission of Maghrebi cuisine to the global culinary lexicon.
Analysis
The word 'harissa' is a simplex loanword. It is borrowed from Arabic (حريسة, ḥarīsa), which itself is derived from the Arabic verb 'ḥarasa' (حَرَسَ), meaning "to break into pieces, to pound."
Examples
The grilled lamb was served with a dollop of fiery harissa.
You can adjust the heat level of your harissa by using different types of chili peppers.
This recipe calls for a teaspoon of harissa to add depth and spice to the stew.