mesquite

¹

or mes·quit

[ me-skeet, mes-keet ]

noun

1. any of several usually spiny trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Prosopis, of the legume family, as P. juliflora or P. glandulosa, of western North America, having bipinnate leaves and beanlike pods and often forming dense thickets.
2. the wood of such a tree or shrub, used especially in grilling or barbecuing food.
3. any of various similar or related plants.

Mesquite

²

[ me-skeet, mi- ]

noun

1. a city in NE Texas, E of Dallas.

mesquite

/ mɛˈskiːt; ˈmɛskiːt /

noun

1. any small leguminous tree of the genus Prosopis, esp the tropical American P. juliflora, whose sugary pods ( mesquite beans ) are used as animal fodder Also calledalgarrobahoney locusthoney mesquite

Word History and Origins

Origin of mesquite¹

1830–40, Americanism; < Mexican Spanish mezquite < Nahuatl mizquitl

Word History and Origins

Origin of mesquite¹

C19: from Mexican Spanish, from Nahuatl mizquitl

Example Sentences

La Casa looms above a mostly flat landscape dotted with mesquite bushes.

From Los Angeles Times

It would also go well with a grilled steak or another fatty meat with mesquite aroma.

From Seattle Times

California’s groundwater-dependent ecosystems lie not only along streams, but also in habitats such as mountain meadows, coastal redwood forests and mesquite bushes among desert sand dunes.

From Los Angeles Times

“We also uncovered a series of hearths, or community campsites, with remnants of mesquite charcoal, which is a tremendous find in and of itself,” Cuba said.

From Seattle Times

You just want the taste of mesquite smoke and sea salt on this thick, juicy cut.

From Seattle Times