nutmeg
UK[ˈnʌtmɛɡ]US[ˈnʌtmɛɡ]
n
A hard, aromatic seed from the fruit of a tropical tree, grated and used as a spice in cooking.
n
The evergreen tree that produces this seed.
Etymology
The word 'nutmeg' entered English in the late 13th century as a compound of the native English word 'nut' and the Middle English term 'megge', borrowed from Old French. The Old French 'mugue' or 'nois muguede' (meaning "musky nut") points to the spice's prized aromatic quality, with the second element potentially tracing back to Latin 'muscus' for musk. This etymology reflects the medieval European experience of the spice as a hard, nut-like seed with a distinctive, musky fragrance. The term's journey encapsulates the history of the spice trade, where exotic commodities were named by describing their physical form and sensory impact using familiar European vocabulary.
Analysis
The word 'nutmeg' is a compound formed from two English words, 'nut' and the Middle English 'megge' or 'mugge', which was derived from Old French 'mugue'. The 'nut' component is from Old English 'hnutu', and the 'megge' component is of uncertain origin, possibly from Latin 'muscus' (musk) due to its aromatic quality. Its functional role is as a single lexical unit naming a specific spice.
Examples
She added a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg to the béchamel sauce.
The recipe calls for both cinnamon and nutmeg.
Nutmeg trees are native to the Moluccas, or Spice Islands.