lentil

Definition

Any of several plants of the genus Lens, especially Lens culinaris, from southwest Asia, that have edible, lens-shaped seeds within flattened pods.

Etymology

From Middle English lentile, from Old French lentille from Latin lenticula, diminutive of lēns, from a pre-Indo-European substrate source shared by German Linse, Ancient Greek λάθυρος (láthuros) and Lithuanian lęšis. Doublet of lenticula.

Example Sentences

• "make a lentil stew"
• "a lentil salad"
• "In ancient Greece, lentils were believed to stimulate desire."

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