Reese

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A common English surname, often associated with notable people in entertainment, sports, and public life
2. A personal or family name used to identify individuals, particularly recognized in American culture and media
3. A given or family name borne by various well-known figures across different professions and fields

Etymology: "Reese" is a surname, and the candy-bar sense began as a brand name. The Reese's Peanut Butter Cup was made by Harry Burnett Reese, who founded the H. B. Reese Candy Company in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and the product's name came from him. Over time, the trademark became so widely used for the snack that people began calling any peanut butter cup a "reese," the way many brand names slide into general vocabulary. The word therefore follows a familiar route: a company's name became the everyday term for a whole category of product. Because the brand dominated the market, shoppers and speakers stopped distinguishing it from its competitors, and the trademark did the work of a common noun.