marshmallow
UK[ˌmɑːʃˈmæləʊ]US[ˈmɑːrʃˌmeloʊ]
n
a soft, sweet, white or pink food made from sugar and egg white, often eaten toasted
n
a tall pink flower that grows near water
Morpheme Breakdown
marsh
mallow
marsh
marsh, swamp
mallow
mallow plant
Etymology
the word 'marshmallow' is a straightforward compound of two english words: 'marsh' and 'mallow'. it originates from the old english 'mersc' (meaning marsh) and 'mealwe' (meaning mallow plant), the latter derived from latin 'malva'. the name is literal, referring to a species of mallow plant (althaea officinalis) that commonly grows in marshy or damp areas. historically, the root of this plant was used to make a confection, which evolved into the modern sugary treat that retains only the name, not the original ingredient.
Analysis
Structure: marsh + mallow
marsh (old english, meaning 'marsh, swamp'); mallow (old english, from latin 'malva', meaning 'mallow plant')
Examples
we roasted marshmallows over the campfire.
the recipe calls for a cup of mini marshmallows.
the marshmallow plant can be found growing in wet meadows.