Tartelet

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A miniature pastry case with a sweet or savory filling, served as a bite-sized treat at parties or teas
2. A little open pastry shell baked in a small mould and filled with fruit, custard, or cream
3. A dainty individual tart, typically made with shortcrust pastry and holding a fruit or creamy filling

Etymology: A tartelet is a small tart, and the name is simply a diminutive. French "tartelette" is "tarte" with a little suffix added, and English took the French form. The ending works like the "-let" in "booklet" or "droplet," so the word means something like "little tart." The base word "tarte" came into French from Old French, and it is generally traced to Medieval Latin "tarta," though the word's earlier origin is uncertain. English "tart" descends from the same Old French word, so the two English words are relatives. The common spelling is "tartlet," while "tartelet" keeps the French vowel pattern more visible.

Synonyms: tartlet, tart