Hummus

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈhʊməs/

Definitions

1. A creamy dip originating from the Middle East, made chiefly of pureed chickpeas and typically seasoned with tahini
2. This flavorful spread, commonly enjoyed with pita or fresh veggies, is crafted mostly from mashed chickpeas and tahini
3. A smooth and savory paste prepared mainly from ground chickpeas blended with sesame seed paste and spices

Etymology: The Arabic word "ḥummuṣ" is simply the name of the chickpea itself. Arabic had two closely related forms for it, "ḥimmiṣ" and the variant "ḥummuṣ", and English borrowed the latter. So when you spread chickpeas mashed with tahini and lemon, you are eating a dish named after the legume it is made from, not after any sauce or paste. The borrowing reflects the familiar route by which Middle Eastern foods reached English speakers, with the name carried along in the dish itself. The word therefore arrived as a plain noun for the food, and it has kept that concrete sense ever since, with no shift in meaning to speak of.

Synonyms: dip, spread, puree, paste, condiment