Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of small-seeded cereal grass: "millet" refers to any of several species of annual grasses cultivated for their small, edible seeds. These plants belong to genera such as Panicum, Setaria, Echinochloa, Sorghum, and Eleusine.
   • The seeds of such a plant: "millet" also denotes the small, round grains harvested from these grasses, used as a staple food in many parts of the world.
   • A French painter: "Millet" (capitalized) refers specifically to Jean-François Millet (1814–1875), a French painter known for his depictions of peasant farmers and rural life.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Cereal Grass/Grain):
  • Millet is a highly nutritious and drought-resistant grain.
  • Farmers in the region grow millet as a primary crop.
  • The birdseed mix contains millet and sunflower seeds.
• Noun (Proper Noun, Painter):
  • Millet's painting "The Gleaners" is a masterpiece of Realism.
  • We studied the works of Millet in art history class.

Advanced Usage

• "Pearl millet": A specific, widely cultivated type of millet ().
  • Pearl millet is a crucial crop in arid regions of Africa and India.
• "Finger millet": Another specific type (), known for its high calcium content.
  • Finger millet is often used to make porridge and flatbreads.

Variants and Related Words

• Proso millet (): Also known as common millet or broomcorn millet.
• Foxtail millet (): A type of millet with a bushy seed head.
• Millets (plural noun): The collective term for various millet species or their grains.
  • Several millets are considered ancient grains.

Synonyms

• Cereal grain: A general term for grasses cultivated for their edible seeds (e.g., wheat, rice, millet).
• Small grain: Describes grains like millet, teff, or amaranth.

Related Terms (Contextual)

• Staple food: A primary dietary component, a category which includes millet in many cultures.
• Gluten-free: A dietary description applicable to millet grains.
• Forage crop: Some millet species are also grown as fodder for livestock.

Noun

1. small seed of any of various annual cereal grasses especially Setaria italica
2. French painter of rural scenes (1814-1875)
3. any of various small-grained annual cereal and forage grasses of the genera Panicum, Echinochloa, Setaria, Sorghum, and Eleusine