Definition

Noun: 1. A type of crisp, dry, thinly sliced toast: Melba toast is a very thin, crisp, and dry piece of toasted bread, often served with soups, salads, or spreads. It is intentionally toasted twice to achieve its characteristic brittleness and light texture.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The waiter brought a basket of melba toast to accompany the pâté.
  • She prefers melba toast over regular bread for her diet because it is crisp and light.
  • The recipe calls for crushed melba toast to use as a breadcrumb substitute for the topping.

Advanced Usage

• As a culinary term: Melba toast is often referenced in menus and recipes as a specific, classic accompaniment. Its dryness makes it ideal for absorbing dips and spreads without becoming soggy quickly.
  • The cheese board was served with an assortment of crackers and melba toast.

Variants and Related Words

• Toast (n): A slice of bread browned on both sides by exposure to radiant heat.
• Cracker (n): A thin, crisp wafer, often served with cheese or other toppings. (While similar in function and texture, a cracker is not made from sliced bread like melba toast).
• Rusks (n): Pieces of bread rebaked until hard and dry. Melba toast is a specific, very thin type of rusk.

Synonyms

• Crispbread: A generic term for a dry, crisp, cracker-like bread product.
• Dry toast: This describes the state but is not a specific product name like "melba toast."

Notes on Meaning

The term is a proper noun derived from the name of the Australian opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, for whom it was originally created. It refers specifically to the double-toasted, thinly sliced bread product and is not used as a general verb or adjective.

Noun

1. very thin crisp brown toast