mustard

American  

[muhs-terd] / ˈmʌs tərd /

noun

1. a pungent powder or paste prepared from the seeds of certain mustard plants, used as a food seasoning or condiment, and medicinally in plasters, poultices, etc.

2. Botany. any of various cruciferous plants of the mustard family, noted for their acrid and pungent qualities and widely cultivated for culinary and agricultural purposes: among the most commercially important mustards are black mustard, brown mustard, and white mustard.

3. nitrogen mustard.

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idioms

1. cut the mustard, to reach or surpass the desired standard of performance.

   a pitcher who cuts the mustard with his fastball.

mustard British  

/ ˈmʌstəd /

noun

1. any of several Eurasian plants of the genus Brassica, esp black mustard and white mustard, having yellow or white flowers and slender pods and cultivated for their pungent seeds: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) See also charlock

2. a paste made from the powdered seeds of any of these plants and used as a condiment

3. 1. a brownish-yellow colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a mustard carpet

4. slang zest or enthusiasm

5. slang to come up to expectations

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mustard More Idioms  

1. see cut the mustard.

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Etymology

Origin of mustard

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English mostard(e), mustart, from Old French mostarde, moustarde, a relish originally made of mustard seed and must, equivalent to moust + -arde; must ², -ard

Example Sentences

She was in her tía’s lap, listening to her stories about face-changing witches defeated with mustard seeds, and beautiful princesses sealed in caves by greedy suitors.

From Literature

But what sticks with us is the color: Despite the overcast sky, the mustard yellow and burnt orange of the boys’ shirt and sweater pop from the printed page.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is slow, unglamorous work for his volunteers wearing shirts and caps in party colours of ketchup red and mustard yellow, often involving speaking to groups of just a handful of voters at a time.

From Barron's

The medicated wipes, cream and spray have swirling, ’70s-style graphics and a retro color palette of orange, mustard yellow and turquoise.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fold in winter herbs like tarragon, rosemary, or thyme, or add a swipe of really good mustard for heat and backbone.

From Salon

Related Words

• dressing
• gravy
• horseradish
• ketchup
• pepper
• relish
• salsa
• salt
• sauce
• seasoning
• spice