Wasabis

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of pungent Japanese horseradish often used as a condiment for sushi and sashimi
2. A greenish paste made from the grated root of the wasabi plant that adds heat and flavor to various dishes
3. An ingredient known for its distinctive sharpness and aroma, popular in Japanese cuisine, particularly with raw fish dishes

Etymology: "Wasabis" is simply the plural of "wasabi," the pungent green paste served with sushi. It is a plural form of a Japanese loanword, so it takes an English "-s" ending, and it is most often used when speaking of several portions or several varieties of the paste. The noun itself was borrowed from Japanese, where the word is written 山葵. That kanji combination refers to the plant whose grated root produces the sharp green condiment, a relative of horseradish that grows in cool, wet streams in Japan. Because the root is the part prized for flavour, the plant and its paste share a single name.

Synonyms: wasabi