torta

American  

[tawr-tuh, tawr-tah] / ˈtɔr tə, ˈtɔr tɑ /

noun

1. Mexican Cooking. a hot or cold sandwich made on a crusty bread roll such as a bolillo, filled with a variety of meats, cheeses, sauces, and other toppings.

2. Slang: Usually Disparaging and Offensive. an overweight or heavyset woman.

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Etymology

Origin of torta

First recorded in 1995–2000; from Spanish torta “cake, pie” ( Mexican Spanish: “sandwich”), from Late Latin tōrta (pānis) “round loaf (of bread)”; torte ( def. )

Example Sentences

The former “Giada at Home” host put her own spin on the beloved torta caprese, an indulgent flourless cake named for the Italian island of Capri.

From Salon • Aug. 16, 2024

Santa Ana-based concept Chiva Torta also can be found at Mercado González, selling the Guadalajara-style torta ahogadas that made the food truck a fixture on North Spurgeon Street near the former 4th Street Northgate.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2024

For a vegetarian centrepiece, classic Italian Easter pie torta pasquale is a great way to go.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2023

The blue truck opens at 9 a.m. on Sundays to serve bubbling bowls of caldo de res, pozole and menudo, another reason to venture back to SeaTac — as if that torta weren’t enough.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 1, 2023

“Here then,” I say smiling, holding out to her the rest of my torta, “Take half of nearly nothing.”

From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads