Vermicellis

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of thin pasta resembling fine strands or noodles often used in soups or side dishes
2. A delicate variety of pasta characterized by very small cylindrical forms, popular in various culinary recipes
3. An Italian culinary term for a specific form of pasta that is sometimes used to describe similar thin pasta shapes

Etymology: "Vermicellis" is simply the plural of "vermicelli", so the history belongs to the singular form. The Italian word "vermicello" means "little worm", a diminutive of "verme" ("worm"), which descends from Latin "vermis". The name refers to the thin, wormlike strands of dough, so the pasta is named for its shape rather than for any ingredient or place. The Italian plural "vermicelli" was taken into English as a noun for the pasta itself. Because the Italian form is already plural, English speakers sometimes add a second "s", producing "vermicellis", which the standard form does not take.

Synonyms: vermicelli