pinole
UK[pɪˈnəʊleɪ]US[pɪˈnoʊleɪ]
n
A flour made from ground, toasted maize or other grains, often mixed with spices and sweeteners, used as a food or drink.
n
A drink or porridge made from this flour.
Etymology
The word 'pinole' entered English from Mexican Spanish in the early 19th century. Its ultimate origin is the Nahuatl word 'pinolli', which refers to a flour or meal made from parched maize. Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, contributed numerous terms to Spanish during the colonization of the Americas, especially for indigenous flora, foods, and cultural items. The journey from 'pinolli' to 'pinole' illustrates a direct borrowing process where a New World staple food retained its indigenous name as it was adopted into European languages and subsequently into global English vocabulary.
Analysis
This word is a simplex loanword from Spanish. It does not contain separable morphemes within its current English spelling.
Examples
The recipe calls for pinole, a traditional flour made from toasted corn.
For a quick, nutritious breakfast, he mixed the pinole with water and a bit of honey.
Pinole was a vital, portable source of energy for runners and travelers in ancient Mesoamerica.