currant

/'kʌrənt/

Thân thiện

A baker adds currants to a bowl of muffin batter.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small dried seedless raisin: A type of small, dark, dried grape, traditionally grown in the Mediterranean region and California, used primarily in baking and cooking.
   • A deciduous shrub of the genus Ribes: Any of various shrubs that bear small, edible berries.
   • A tart red or black berry: The small, acidic fruit of these Ribes shrubs, used chiefly for making jellies, jams, sauces, and desserts.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Dried Fruit):
  • The recipe calls for a cup of currants in the scones.
  • Zante currants are often used in fruitcakes and puddings.
• Noun (Berry/Bush):
  • She planted a red currant bush in her garden.
  • The currants were harvested to make a tart jelly.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• Distinction from Raisins: The word "currant" for the dried fruit is a specific type of raisin, not to be confused with the fresh berry. The context usually clarifies the meaning.
• "Blackcurrant" vs. "Currant": In many contexts, especially British English, "blackcurrant" specifically refers to the berry of the shrub, which is distinct from the red or white currant berries.
• Figurative Use: Rarely, "currant" can be used to describe something very small, akin to the size of the berry.
  • A currant of light shone in the distance.

Variants and Related Words

• Blackcurrant (n): A specific variety of currant shrub bearing dark purple-black berries, known for its strong, tart flavor and high vitamin C content.
• Redcurrant (n): A variety of currant shrub bearing translucent red berries.
• White currant (n): A cultivar of the redcurrant with pale yellow berries.
• Currant bush (n): The shrub that produces currant berries.

Synonyms

• For the dried fruit: Zante currant, Corinth raisin, dried grape.
• For the berry: Berry (specific types: redcurrant, blackcurrant).

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Currant jelly: A clear, tart jelly made from currant berries.
  • The roast was served with a side of currant jelly.
• Currant bun: A sweet bun containing dried currants.
  • He bought a currant bun for his afternoon tea.

Học thuật

Noun

1. small dried seedless raisin grown in the Mediterranean region and California; used in cooking
2. any of various deciduous shrubs of the genus Ribes bearing currants
3. any of several tart red or black berries used primarily for jellies and jams

Từ đồng nghĩa

• currant bush