Definition

1. Noun:
   • A spice: A hard, aromatic seed from the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans), used in cooking when grated or ground. It has a warm, sweet, and slightly pungent flavor.
   • A tree: The tropical evergreen tree native to the East Indies that produces this seed.

Examples of Usage

• As a spice (seed):
  • The recipe calls for a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.
  • Nutmeg is a key ingredient in many holiday desserts like pumpkin pie.
• Referring to the tree:
  • The nutmeg is cultivated for its valuable seeds and the spice known as mace.

Advanced Usage

• "To be nutmegged" (sports slang): In soccer (football), this refers to the act of a player kicking the ball between an opponent's legs. This is a figurative, idiomatic use derived from the spice name.
  • The forward skillfully nutmegged the defender before scoring.

Variants and Related Words

• Mace (noun): A spice made from the reddish aril (covering) of the nutmeg seed. It has a similar but more delicate flavor than nutmeg.
• Nutmegger (noun, informal): A nickname for a native or resident of the U.S. state of Connecticut.

Synonyms

• Spice: A general term for aromatic plant substances used to flavor food.
• Seed: The specific botanical term for the reproductive unit.

Related Phrases

• "A nutmeg" (sports noun): The act or instance of performing a nutmeg in soccer.
  • He pulled off an incredible nutmeg to get past the last defender.

Noun

1. hard aromatic seed of the nutmeg tree used as spice when grated or ground
2. East Indian tree widely cultivated in the tropics for its aromatic seed; source of two spices: nutmeg and mace