wheat
wheat
UK[wiːt]US[wiːt]
n
a plant that produces grain which is used to make flour for bread, cakes, pasta, etc., and also for making beer and whisky
n
the grain produced by the wheat plant
Etymology
the english word "wheat" originates from the old english "hwæte", which is directly related to the old high german "weizzi" and old norse "hveiti". these germanic forms stem from the proto-germanic "hwaitijaz", meaning "that which is white". this root is thought to refer to the white flour produced from the grain or the light color of the ripe crop. the term is ultimately connected to the proto-indo-european root "kweid-", meaning "to shine" or "white", linking the word's ancient sense of brightness or whiteness to the modern cereal grain through its characteristic product.
Analysis
the word is a simplex unit derived from old english "hwæte". it is not productively composed of separable morphemes in modern english.
Examples
vast fields of golden wheat stretched to the horizon.
whole wheat bread is often considered a healthier choice.
the farmer stored the harvested wheat in a large silo.