Definition

1. Noun:
   • The seed of the dill plant (Anethum graveolens) used as a seasoning: A small, oval, aromatic seed, typically light brown in color, harvested from the dill herb. It is used whole or ground to flavor foods.

Usage

• Dill seed is primarily used as a spice. It is added to pickling brines, breads, soups, stews, salad dressings, and potato dishes.
• It is often confused with dill weed (the fresh or dried leaves of the same plant), but the seed has a stronger, more pungent, and slightly bitter flavor reminiscent of caraway.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The recipe calls for a teaspoon of dill seed in the pickling liquid.
  • She sprinkled some crushed dill seed over the roasted vegetables.
  • The distinct flavor of rye bread often comes from dill seed.

Advanced Usage

• "dill seed oil": An essential oil extracted from dill seeds, used in aromatherapy and as a flavoring agent.
  • Dill seed oil is sometimes used to soothe digestive discomfort.

Variants and Related Words

• Dill (noun): The herb plant () itself, from which both the feathery leaves (dill weed) and the seeds are harvested.
• Dill weed (noun): The fresh or dried leaf of the dill plant, used as an herb. It has a milder, grassier flavor than the seed.

Synonyms

• Seasoning seed: A general term for seeds used to flavor food.
• Spice: A broader category including dill seed.

Related Phrases

• To seed dill: The process of allowing dill plants to flower and produce seeds for harvest.
  • We let some of the dill plants bolt so we could seed dill for next year's crop.

Notes

• Dill seed is a common ingredient in German, Scandinavian, and Eastern European cuisines.
• In some traditional medicine practices, dill seed is used as a carminative to help reduce gas and bloating.

Noun

1. seed of the dill plant used as seasoning