pasta
UK[ˈpæstə]US[ˈpɑːstə]
n
a type of italian food made from flour, water, and sometimes eggs, formed into different shapes and usually served with a sauce
Etymology
the word 'pasta' entered english directly from italian in the late 19th century, reflecting the popularization of italian cuisine. its ultimate origin lies in the ancient greek word 'pastē', which referred to a porridge made from barley meal. this term was borrowed into late latin as 'pasta', broadening in meaning to denote a more general dough or paste. the semantic evolution from a specific sprinkled porridge to the wide variety of shaped dough products we know today perfectly illustrates the culinary journey of this staple food from its humble, ancient beginnings to its central role in modern italian cooking.
Analysis
this word is a direct loanword from italian and is not productively segmented using english morphemes. the italian word 'pasta' derives from late latin 'pasta' meaning "dough, pastry cake," itself from greek 'pastē' meaning "barley porridge," a derivative of the verb 'passein' meaning "to sprinkle."
Examples
we had pasta with a rich tomato and basil sauce for dinner.
the supermarket aisle offers a wide selection of dried pasta, from spaghetti to fusilli.
she boiled the pasta until it was al dente.