vanilla
pronunciation
How to pronounce vanilla in British English:
UK [vəˈnɪlə]
How to pronounce vanilla in American English:
US [vəˈnɪlə]
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- Noun:
- any of numerous climbing plants of the genus Vanilla having fleshy leaves and clusters of large waxy highly fragrant white or green or topaz flowers
- a flavoring prepared from vanilla beans macerated in alcohol (or imitating vanilla beans)
- a distinctive fragrant flavor characteristic of vanilla beans
Word Origin
- vanilla
- vanilla: [17] A vanilla pod is etymologically a ‘little vagina’. The word was borrowed from Spanish vainilla, a diminutive form of vaina ‘sheath’ (the pod was so named because of its sheath-like shape). Vaina was descended from Latin vāgīna ‘sheath’, which came to be jokingly applied to the ‘female reproductive passage’ – hence English vagina [17].=> vagina
- vanilla (n.)
- 1660s, "pod of the vanilla plant," from Spanish vainilla "vanilla plant," literally "little pod," diminutive of vaina "sheath," from Latin vagina "sheath of an ear of grain, hull of a plant" (see vagina). So called from the shape of the pods. European discovery 1521 by Hernando Cortes' soldiers on reconnaissance in southeastern Mexico. Meaning "flavoring extracted from the vanilla bean" is attested by 1728. Meaning "conventional, of ordinary sexual preferences" is 1970s, from notion of whiteness and the common choice of vanilla ice cream.
Example
- 1. Vanilla had elements of both piano and woodwind .
- 2. Lightly beat together the eggs and vanilla and stir them into the dough .
- 3. Add a couple drops of vanilla extract for a light and natural scent .
- 4. An oyster is served topped with a rosemary flower and a gentle foam of vanilla .
- 5. Mix the flour with sugar and vanilla sugar , then egg 5 yolks .