Mortadelle

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of Italian cold cut made from finely hashed or ground pork and flavored with spices and seasonings; often enjoyed as part of a charcuterie platter or in sandwiches
2. This culinary specialty features a mixture of pork and spices that is encased and cooked, resulting in a delicacy commonly featured in Italian cuisine; its sliced form is popular for snacking
3. A seasoned pork product distinguished by its unique texture and flavor, often used in various dishes or served on antipasto platters, reflecting a rich culinary tradition

Etymology: "Mortadelle" is the French plural of "mortadella," so it is simply the plural form of the Italian sausage name. The singular comes from Italian "mortadella," a diminutive of the Latin "murtatum," meaning a sausage seasoned with myrtle berries. That Latin name in turn comes from "myrtatum," formed from "myrtus," the myrtle plant, which was borrowed from the Ancient Greek "múrtos." The sausage's name therefore preserves an old flavouring: the myrtle berries that once gave it its character are written into the word itself.