aspic

¹ American  

[as-pik] / ˈæs pɪk /

noun

1. a savory jelly usually made with meat or fish stock and gelatin, chilled and used as a garnish and coating for meats, seafoods, eggs, etc.

2. a similar jelly made with spiced tomato juice and gelatin, served as a salad.

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aspic ² American  

[as-pik] / ˈæs pɪk /

noun

1. Obsolete. asp.

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aspic ³ American  

[as-pik] / ˈæs pɪk /

noun

1. a variety of lavender (Lavandula spica ) cultivated for its oil, used in perfumes and toiletries.

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aspic ¹ British  

/ ˈæspɪk /

noun

1. a savoury jelly based on meat or fish stock, used as a relish or as a mould for meat, vegetables, etc

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aspic ² British  

/ ˈæspɪk /

noun

1. an archaic word for asp 1

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aspic ³ British  

/ ˈæspɪk /

noun

1. either of two species of lavender, Lavandula spica or L. latifolia , that yield an oil used in perfumery: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

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Etymology

Origin of aspic¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from French; perhaps so called because the form or color resembled those of an asp, or because the jelly was as cold as an asp; see aspic ²

Origin of aspic²

First recorded in 1520–30; from French, from Provençal aspic, alteration of Latin aspid- (stem of aspis ) “asp,” from Greek aspíd- (stem of aspís) “Egyptian cobra,” literally, “shield,” possibly so called from the shieldlike appearance of the cobra's head when it attacks; see also asp ¹

Origin of aspic³

First recorded in 1595–1605; from French  (huile d') aspic, for (huile de) spic “(oil of) lavender spike,” from Old French espic “spike lavender,” originally “spikenard,” from Medieval Latin spīcus “spikenard,” from Latin: variant of spīca, spīcum spike ²

Example Sentences

For example: Aspic, off-putting though it can be, once served the purpose of preserving fresh foods anaerobically in a world before fridges.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 2023

But whether hipster consumers of wagyu and kale tacos are ready for Roasted Swan Legs, Deer Antler Soup and Porpoise in Aspic is a fair question.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2015

But Larks’ Tongues in Aspic was not a million-seller.

From Slate • Aug. 14, 2012

A Dandy in Aspic offers a little of one and a lot of the other.

From Time Magazine Archive

Example: Bouillon Lobster Newburg Suprême of Chicken Peas Aspic of Foie Gras Celery Salad Ices Coffee Instead of bouillon, there may be caviar or melon, or grape fruit, or a purée, or clam broth.

From Etiquette by Post, Emily