nutmeg

[ nuht-meg ]

noun

1. the hard, aromatic seed of the fruit of an East Indian tree, Myristica fragrans, used in grated form as a spice.
2. the similar product of certain other trees of the same genus or other genera.
3. a tree bearing such seeds.

nutmeg

/ ˈnʌtmɛɡ /

noun

1. an East Indian evergreen tree, Myristica fragrans, cultivated in the tropics for its hard aromatic seed: family Myristicaceae See also mace 2
2. the seed of this tree, used as a spice
3. any of several similar trees or their fruit
4. a greyish-brown colour

verb

1. informal.
   sport to kick or hit the ball between the legs of (an opposing player)

Other Words From

• nutmegged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nutmeg¹

1300–50; Middle English notemug ( g ) e, perhaps back formation from *notemugede ( -ede being taken as -ed ³ ), equivalent to note nut + mugede < Old French < Late Latin muscāta musky; musk, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nutmeg¹

C13: from Old French nois muguede, from Old Provençal noz muscada musk-scented nut, from Latin nux nut + muscus musk

Example Sentences

When you have incorporated all the milk, bring the sauce to a boil, then remove from the heat, stir in a little grated nutmeg, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

From Eater

Add the ground turkey, salt, fennel seeds, garlic powder, paprika and nutmeg, and increase the heat to high.

From Washington Post

Stir in the coconut cream or milk, orange zest, pepper and nutmeg, if using, and simmer until the coconut cream reduces slightly and thickens, 3 to 5 minutes.

From Washington Post

We separated yolks, measured out flour, and whisked it all together with some salt and nutmeg powder until everything coalesced.

From Eater

Strain into a glass and add a few dashes of nutmeg and a cinnamon stick for garnish.

From Outside Online

There must be some good tax accounts in the Nutmeg State, because they found the most deductions per return of any state.

From The Daily Beast

At various times the list has included concrete, paper, musical instruments, and nutmeg.

From The Daily Beast

Consider this: At a certain point the list of items Gazans could not import included nutmeg and fishing rods.

From The Daily Beast

Season with salt, white pepper and nutmeg and cover the pot.

From The Daily Beast

Add liqueurs, stir in nutmeg, and sprinkle with a bit more nutmeg.

From The Daily Beast

More like the noise of powdering an iron bar on a nutmeg-grater, suggested Brittle.

From Project Gutenberg

The clove-tree is somewhat smaller, and cannot boast of such luxuriant foliage, or such fine large leaves as the nutmeg-tree.

From Project Gutenberg

The kernel is almost the same colour as the nutmeg, but it has no net-work: it is dried in the shade.

From Project Gutenberg

Add two shalots, a little salt and pepper, a grate of nutmeg, a gill of mushroom ketchup and the same of Marsala.

From Project Gutenberg

The thimble denoted a thrifty housewife; the button, a life of single blessedness; and the nutmeg, a good cook.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cantaloupe
• gourd
• papaya
• watermelon