prosciutto
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of prosciutto
1935–40; < Italian prosciutto, earlier presciutto < Vulgar Latin *perexsuctus all dried up, equivalent to Latin per- per- + exsuctus lacking juice
Explanation
Prosciutto is a type of sliced, cured meat that's used in various Italian dishes, from appetizers to pasta. These recipes include prosciutto for its salty, intensely flavorful taste. Prosciutto is made from pork. It's a version of ham that's sliced paper-thin after being dry-cured for a very long time, a process that involves salting the meat heavily. When you eat prosciutto, you're actually eating raw meat, since it's aged instead of cooked. The strong, salty flavor lends this Italian delicacy to antipasto plates and pizza toppings. We can trace the word prosciutto back to the Latin exsuctus, "lacking juice" or "dried up."
Vocabulary lists containing prosciutto
World Cuisine - Introductory
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World Cuisine - Middle School and High School
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National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I order the Classic Italian with prosciutto, ham, salami and provolone.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2025
Take the classic Italian combo of melon and cured meat: ripe slices paired with braseola or prosciutto.
From Salon • May 31, 2025
At Indio Central Market, Italian deli All’Antico Vinaio is offering its signature focaccia sandwiches, including the festival-exclusive La Coachella with prosciutto, stracciatella, sun-dried tomato and basil.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025
And meanwhile we have these sidebar conversations in, like, the lifestyle section about Clarence Thomas and the many, many, many people who feast on his prosciutto.
From Slate • Apr. 6, 2024
Matthew dug into the paper bag and pulled out a prosciutto sandwich.
From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
