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

Critic Kenneth Tynan reported, “And when the curtain fell, the house stood up to cheer a man who had never before appeared in a legitimate play, a mighty and blessed clown whose grateful bewilderment was reflected in the tears that speckled his cheeks, a burlesque comic of crumpled mien and baggy eyes, with a nose stuck like a gherkin into a face as ageless at the Commedia dell’arte.”

From Los Angeles Times

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