Salades

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A dish composed primarily of mixed raw or cooked vegetables, often served cold and dressed with oil, vinegar, or other seasonings; also refers to a category of culinary preparations combining various fresh ingredients
2. A culinary preparation consisting of assorted leafy greens and other vegetables, frequently accompanied by dressing or toppings, or any mixed combination of such foods served as an appetizer or side; it may also include variations with proteins or grains
3. A type of food commonly made from a variety of fresh vegetables tossed together, sometimes including fruits or nuts, typically flavored with vinaigrette or creamy sauces, and served as a light meal or starter

Etymology: "Salades" is the plural of "salade", the French word for a dish of raw or cooked vegetables, usually dressed with oil and vinegar. The singular came into French from Old French, where its root is the Latin "salata", a noun built on "sal", meaning salt, which points back to the older practice of seasoning greens with salt. The plural matters here because English speakers borrowed the word in its French form, with the final "s" kept as if it were a plural. Its meaning stayed close to the original: a mixed dish of vegetables, not a single leaf or herb.

Synonyms: salads