onion
UK[ˈʌnjən]US[ˈʌnjən]
n
A round vegetable with a brown, red, or white skin and many layers, that has a strong smell and taste and is used in cooking.
Etymology
The word "onion" entered Middle English as "union" from the Anglo-Norman "oignon," which itself came from Old French "oignon." Its ultimate source is Latin "unio" (genitive "unionis"), meaning "onion" but also "a single large pearl" or "unity." This Latin term is derived from "unus," meaning "one," likely referring to the onion's single, unified bulb composed of concentric layers. The semantic journey illustrates how a concept of oneness was applied to a distinct vegetable form, with the spelling later influenced by the Anglo-Norman form to become "onion."
Analysis
The modern English word "onion" is a simplex form derived as a whole from Anglo-Norman and Old French. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into productive morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The recipe calls for one finely chopped onion.
She caramelized the onions to bring out their natural sweetness.
His eyes began to water as he sliced the raw onion.