ladyfinger
/'leidi,fiɳgə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A small, finger-shaped sponge cake, typically light and dry in texture, often used in desserts like tiramisu or served with tea or coffee.
Usage
- As a countable noun: Refers to individual cakes.
- The recipe calls for twelve ladyfingers to line the bottom of the pan.
- She arranged the ladyfingers neatly on the dessert plate.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- Culinary Context: The term is almost exclusively used in cooking and baking contexts to specify this particular type of cake.
- The chef's secret was using almond-flavored ladyfingers in the trifle.
Variants and Related Words
- Sponge finger: A direct synonym, commonly used in British English.
- Boudoir biscuit: Another term for the same item, used in some regions.
- Savoiardi: The Italian name for ladyfingers, often used in recipes for authenticity.
Synonyms
- Sponge finger
- Boudoir biscuit
- Savoiardi (Italian)
Notes on Meaning
This word refers specifically to the baked good. It is a compound noun formed from "lady" and "finger," but it is treated as a single lexical unit with this specific culinary meaning. It is not used to describe a part of the human body.
Noun
- small finger-shaped sponge cake