mouton
Definition
Noun: 1. The meat from a mature domestic sheep: This term specifically refers to the culinary meat product obtained from an adult sheep, as opposed to a young lamb. It is less commonly used in everyday English than the more general term "mutton."
Usage
The word "mouton" is a direct borrowing from French, where it means "sheep." In English, it is a specialized term used almost exclusively to refer to the meat. It is considered a more precise or formal term than "mutton" and is often found in culinary, agricultural, or historical contexts.
Examples
- The traditional stew was made with mouton, which gave it a richer, stronger flavor than lamb.
- On the menu, the chef listed a braised mouton shank with rosemary and garlic.
- In historical recipes, mouton was a common ingredient for winter feasts.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used in discussions about the differences in flavor, texture, and culinary applications between meat from young sheep (lamb) and mature sheep (mouton or mutton).
Variants and Related Words
- Mutton (n.): The more common English word for the meat from a mature sheep. "Mouton" and "mutton" are often used interchangeably, though "mouton" can imply a specific French culinary context.
- Lamb (n.): The meat from a young sheep.
- Sheep (n.): The live animal.
Synonyms
- Mutton
Notes on Meaning
This word has only one primary meaning in English: the meat from a mature sheep. It does not refer to the live animal (which is a "sheep") or to the meat of a young sheep (which is "lamb").
Noun
-
meat from a mature domestic sheep
