slaw
UK[slɔː]US[slɔː]
n
A salad of shredded raw cabbage and other vegetables, typically mixed with a dressing.
Etymology
The word 'slaw' entered English in the late 19th century as a shortened form of 'coleslaw', which itself was borrowed from the Dutch term 'koolsla'. The Dutch word is a compound of 'kool' (cabbage) and 'sla' (salad), a shortened form of 'salade'. The English truncation 'slaw' retains the core concept of the Dutch 'sla', referring specifically to the salad component. Over time, it has come to denote specifically a salad made from shredded raw cabbage, often with carrots or other vegetables, dressed with mayonnaise or vinaigrette.
Analysis
This word is a simplex loanword from Dutch. It does not contain separable morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
The pulled pork sandwich was served with a side of tangy vinegar-based slaw.
She prepared a colorful summer slaw with red cabbage, carrots, and apple.
For a lighter option, try the grilled chicken with a fresh cabbage slaw.