matzo
UK[ˈmætsəʊ]US[ˈmɑːtsə]
n
A thin, crisp, unleavened bread, traditionally eaten during the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Etymology
The word 'matzo' entered English from Yiddish 'matse', which in turn derives from Hebrew 'maṣṣāh', meaning "unleavened bread." The Hebrew root ṣ-w-h carries the sense of "to drain out" or "to suck," likely referring to the process of drawing out moisture from the dough during its quick baking, which prevents leavening. This etymological journey from a Semitic verb describing a baking process to the English noun for the specific bread eaten during Passover illustrates how a culturally central item carries its history within its name.
Analysis
This word is a loanword from Yiddish, which itself borrowed it from Hebrew. It is not productively segmented into smaller, meaningful morphemes within the English spelling system.
Examples
For the Passover Seder, a plate of matzo is placed on the table.
The recipe requires only flour and water to make traditional matzo.
She broke a piece of matzo to share with everyone at the meal.