Fetas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Plural form referring to varieties or multiple pieces of a brined curd white cheese popular in Mediterranean cuisine ; also serving as a surname for certain individuals
2. Used to denote several types or servings of a tangy, crumbly cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk ; can also identify people with a specific last name
3. Indicates more than one instance of a salty Greek cheese commonly eaten in salads and cooked dishes ; additionally, a family name for some persons

Etymology: "Fetas" is simply the plural of "feta," so its story is really the story of the cheese's name. That name comes from Greek "féta," which was borrowed from Italian "fetta," meaning "slice." The name points to how the cheese was known and sold: as slices or pieces cut from a block, rather than as a single named product. The Greek word took on the sense of the cheese itself, so a plural such as "fetas" naturally refers to several kinds or several portions of it. The word's roots in a simple Italian word for a slice of something remain visible in the cheese's name today.

Synonyms: feta cheeses, cheeses