Flatbread

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A baked item made from dough that is rolled thin and cooked until crispy or soft, often served as an accompaniment to meals or topped with various ingredients
2. A type of dough that is rolled flat and baked, often enjoyed with dips or as a base for diverse toppings, showcasing its versatility in various cuisines
3. A type of unleavened bread that is prepared by rolling out dough and baking it, typically served with spreads or used as a foundation for a variety of toppings

Etymology: Flatbread is about as transparent as compounds get: "flat" joined to "bread," with nothing hidden in either part. The adjective "flat" comes from Old Norse "flatr," meaning level or spread out, which entered English through Middle English, while "bread" traces back through Old English "brēad" to a Proto-Germanic root that also gave rise to the word's sense of a baked loaf. Put together, the compound describes exactly what it looks like: bread that has been spread thin rather than shaped into a rounded loaf. The Old Norse contribution is a reminder of the Viking-age contact between Scandinavian and English speakers, which left many everyday words in the language. "Flat" is one of several such borrowings that became so ordinary that few speakers today would suspect a Scandinavian origin.

Synonyms: bread, crackers, biscuit