mustard

[ muhs-terd ]

noun

1. a pungent powder or paste prepared from the seeds of certain mustard plants, used as a food seasoning or condiment, and medicinally in plasters, poultices, etc.
2. Botany. any of various cruciferous plants of the mustard family, noted for their acrid and pungent qualities and widely cultivated for culinary and agricultural purposes: among the most commercially important mustards are black mustard, brown mustard, and white mustard.
3. nitrogen mustard.

mustard

/ ˈmʌstəd /

noun

1. any of several Eurasian plants of the genus Brassica, esp black mustard and white mustard, having yellow or white flowers and slender pods and cultivated for their pungent seeds: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) See also charlock
2. a paste made from the powdered seeds of any of these plants and used as a condiment
3. 1. a brownish-yellow colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      a mustard carpet

4. slang.
   zest or enthusiasm
5. cut the mustard slang.
   to come up to expectations

Word History and Origins

Origin of mustard¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English mostard(e), mustart, from Old French mostarde, moustarde, a relish originally made of mustard seed and must, equivalent to moust + -arde; must ², -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of mustard¹

C13: from Old French moustarde, from Latin mustum must ², since the original condiment was made by adding must

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cut the mustard, Slang. to reach or surpass the desired standard of performance:

   a pitcher who cuts the mustard with his fastball.

More idioms and phrases containing mustard

see cut the mustard .

Example Sentences

Its consumption dipped with the crash of the stock market later that same year, when the Great Depression ushered in a decade of depressing foods like mustard sandwiches and mock apple pies, which substituted crackers for apple slices.

From Eater

She uses hers for rice wine-infused pickles, like her current project, a month-old batch of mustard greens which can be used to accent stir-frys or add acidity to earthy stews.

From Eater

Then drain it off and put it in a dish with salt and a little powdered mustard and put it in the oven until there is a nice crust on top.

From Eater

In the pitcher of a blender, combine the oil, lemon juice, honey, scallions, lemon zest, mustard, salt and pepper with the chopped scallions and blend until smooth.

From Washington Post

In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, lemon juice or vinegar, and honey.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• dressing
• gravy
• horseradish
• ketchup
• pepper
• relish
• salsa
• salt
• sauce
• seasoning
• spice