caviare
/'kæviɑ:/ Cách viết khác : (caviare) /'kæviɑ:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A delicacy of salted roe from sturgeon or other large fish: "Caviare" refers to the processed, salted eggs (roe) of certain fish, most famously the sturgeon, considered a luxury food item.
- Something considered too refined or esoteric for general appreciation: This figurative meaning derives from the idiom "caviare to the general," indicating something too sophisticated for the average taste.
Usage and Examples
As a noun (food item):
- The restaurant served blinis with caviare and crème fraîche.
- True Beluga caviare comes from the Caspian Sea.
In figurative use (rarity or refined taste):
- His complex philosophical theories were caviare to the general public.
- The film's avant-garde style made it caviare for most viewers.
Advanced Usage
- "Caviare to the general": An idiom meaning something too fine, subtle, or sophisticated to be appreciated by the majority; something for a select, discerning audience.
- The poet's obscure references rendered his work caviare to the general.
Variants and Related Words
- Caviar: The more common modern spelling, synonymous with "caviare."
- She ordered a tin of Russian caviar.
Synonyms
- Roe: The general term for fish eggs, but not specifically the salted, luxury preparation.
- Fish eggs: A simple, non-culinary term.
- Delicacy: A general term for a rare or expensive food item.
Related Idioms
- "Caviare to the general": As described above, this is the primary idiom associated with the word, originating from Shakespeare's . It encapsulates the idea of something not suited to popular taste.
- The director's artistic cuts were pure caviare to the general, confusing mainstream audiences.
Noun
- salted roe of sturgeon or other large fish; usually served as an hors d'oeuvre