gherkin

[gur-kin]

noun

1. the small, immature fruit of a variety of cucumber, used in pickling.

2. Also called bur gherkin,. Also called gooseberry gourd,. Also called West Indian gherkin. the small, spiny fruit of a tropical vine, Cucumis anguria, of the gourd family, used in pickling.

3. the plant yielding this fruit.

4. a small pickle, especially one made from this fruit.

gherkin

¹

/ ˈɡɜːkɪn /

noun

1. the immature fruit of any of various cucumbers, used for pickling

2. 1. a tropical American cucurbitaceous climbing plant, Cucumis anguria

   2. the small edible fruit of this plant

Gherkin

²

/ ˈɡɜːkɪn /

noun

1. an informal name for Swiss Re Tower

Word History and Origins

Origin of gherkin¹

1655–65; < Dutch gurken, plural of gurk ( German Gurke ) < Slavic; compare Polish ogórek, Czech okurka ≪ Persian

Word History and Origins

Origin of gherkin¹

C17: from early modern Dutch agurkkijn, diminutive of gurk, from Slavonic, ultimately from Greek angourion

Example Sentences

The gherkins “symbolized for me the last thing you have in your cupboards when you run out of everything. It starts from the last gherkin jar, and from there it all goes south.”

From Los Angeles Times

It has led to people boasting online about being the top consumer of paprika, toilet cleaner or pickled gherkins.

From BBC

They issued an alert saying the melting middle - which is made of mustard and gherkins - "may maintain a high temperature once cooked" and could burn when customers bite into the burger.

From BBC

Kherson remains without electricity, running water or heating, but residents found some relief in being able to purchase Ukrainian pickled gherkins, dumplings, horseradish and other favourites.

From Reuters

Burger King posted a poll on Twitter asking what people preferred on their burger; tomato or gherkin.

From BBC