chanterelle

Definition

A widely distributed edible mushroom, Cantharellus cibarius, being yellow and trumpet-shaped; or any similar mushroom of the genera Cantharellus, Polyozellus or Gomphus, not all of which are edible.

Etymology

Borrowed from French chanterelle, from New Latin cantharellus, diminutive of Latin cantharus (“drinking vessel”), from Ancient Greek κάνθαρος (kántharos). Probably of Pre-Greek origin, cognate with Akkadian 𒃶𒁺𒊒𒌑 (/⁠kanduru⁠/, “kind of vessel”), from Sumerian 𒄑𒃶𒉡𒌉 (/⁠gannu-tur⁠/, “small vessel; potstand”, literally “little vessel, container, holder”).

Example Sentences

• "Even the homely wood blewits, that you cook like tripe, with milk and onions, and the egg-yolk yellow chanterelle with its fan-vaulting and faint smell of apricots, all spring up overnight like bubbles of earth, unsustained by nature, existing in a void."
• "There were hushed moments of complete beauty when the melody moved out and hung above the chanterelle like a hummingbird poised over a flower."