paprika
UK[ˈpæprɪkə]US[pəˈpriːkə]
n
A red powder made from a type of sweet pepper, used to give colour and flavour to food.
Etymology
The word 'paprika' entered English in the late 19th century from Hungarian, where it refers to the spice. The Hungarian term itself derives from Serbo-Croatian 'pàprika', which is a diminutive form of 'pàpar', meaning 'pepper'. This Slavic root ultimately traces back to Latin 'piper', meaning 'pepper', which was borrowed from an ancient Indo-European source via Greek. Thus, the journey of 'paprika' reflects the spice's transmission along trade routes, with its name evolving through Balkan languages before being adopted into English as a specific term for the powdered, often sweet, capsicum seasoning distinct from black pepper.
Analysis
This word is a loanword borrowed as a complete unit. Its components within English do not correspond to productive, analyzable morphemes.
Examples
The recipe calls for a teaspoon of sweet paprika.
Hungarian goulash is famous for its rich flavor, which comes from paprika.
She sprinkled smoked paprika over the deviled eggs for an extra layer of taste.