gherkin

[ gur-kin ]

noun

1. the small, immature fruit of a variety of cucumber, used in pickling.
2. Also called bur gherkin,. the small, spiny fruit of a tropical vine, Cucumis anguria, of the gourd family, used in pickling.
3. the plant yielding this fruit.
4. a small pickle, especially one made from this fruit.

Gherkin

¹

/ ˈɡɜːkɪn /

noun

1. the Gherkin
   an informal name for Swiss Re Tower

gherkin

²

/ ˈɡɜːkɪn /

noun

1. the immature fruit of any of various cucumbers, used for pickling
2. 1. a tropical American cucurbitaceous climbing plant, Cucumis anguria
   2. the small edible fruit of this plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of gherkin¹

1655–65; < Dutch gurken, plural of gurk ( German Gurke ) < Slavic; compare Polish ogórek, Czech okurka ≪ Persian

Word History and Origins

Origin of gherkin¹

C17: from early modern Dutch agurkkijn, diminutive of gurk, from Slavonic, ultimately from Greek angourion

Example Sentences

On the box, the burgers - made from fava bean and pea protein - are described as "succulent and tangy" and "with an American style mustard and gherkin melt".

From BBC

The London-based firm is led by Norman Foster, a prominent architect whose designs include the pickle-shaped Gherkin skyscraper in London and the master plan for the $2-billion One Beverly Hills condominium and hotel complex under construction in Beverly Hills.

From Los Angeles Times

Foster, who holds the title of lord, designed the pickle-shaped Gherkin skyscraper in London and the master plan for the $2-billion One Beverly Hills condominium and hotel complex under construction in Beverly Hills.

From Los Angeles Times

London-based Foster + Partners is led by Norman Foster, an English lord perhaps best known for designing a landmark lipstick-like skyscraper in London known as the Gherkin and the hoop-shaped Apple Inc. headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.

From Los Angeles Times

Such “diagrids” have been used in other tall buildings, including the 46-story Hearst Tower in New York City, the iconic 40-story ovular Gherkin skyscraper in London and a section of the egg-shaped London City Hall.

From Los Angeles Times