sesame seed
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The small, flat, oval edible seed of the sesame plant (Sesamum indicum): These seeds have a nutty flavor and are used as a food ingredient and a source of oil. They are typically beige or off-white but can also be found in black, red, or brown varieties.
Usage
- As a countable noun (often used in plural form): The term is most commonly used in its plural form, "sesame seeds," to refer to the seeds collectively as an ingredient.
- As an uncountable noun (referring to the substance): It can also be used in a more general, uncountable sense to refer to the seeds as a type of foodstuff.
Examples
- Plural form (most common):
- The bagel is topped with sesame seeds.
- Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan to enhance their flavor.
- General/Uncountable sense:
- This recipe calls for a tablespoon of sesame seed.
- Sesame seed is a common garnish in Asian cuisine.
Advanced Usage
- "Open sesame": This is a famous phrase from the story , used as a magical command to open a sealed door. It metaphorically refers to a quick and easy way to achieve something, though this idiom is based on the seed's name rather than a direct property of the seed itself.
- A strong network can be the "open sesame" to career opportunities.
Variants and Related Words
- Sesame (noun): Refers to the entire plant () or, more commonly, the seeds and their products collectively (e.g., sesame oil, tahini).
- Sesame is an important oilseed crop.
- Tahini (noun): A paste made from ground sesame seeds.
- Hummus is made from chickpeas and tahini.
- Benne seed (noun): A regional name for sesame seed, used primarily in the Southern United States.
- Benne seed wafers are a traditional Southern treat.
Synonyms
- Benne seed (regional synonym, as noted above).
Notes on Different Meanings
The term "sesame seed" has a single, specific meaning referring to the seed itself. It does not have multiple distinct definitions. All culinary and cultural references derive from this primary meaning.
Noun
- small oval seeds of the sesame plant