congee

¹ American  

[kon-jee, ‐zhey] / ˈkɒn dʒi, ‐ʒeɪ /

noun

1. congé.

---

verb (used without object)

Obsolete.

congeed, congeeing

1. to take one's leave.

2. to bow ceremoniously.

congee ² American  

[kon-jee] / ˈkɒn dʒi /

noun

1. (in East Asian, especially Chinese, cuisine) a thick rice porridge.

---

Etymology

Origin of congee¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; late Middle English noun congie, congye, from Middle French congié, Old French congié, from Latin commeātus “furlough, leave of absence” literally, “passage, coming and going,” equivalent to commeā(re) “to go, travel” (from com- + meāre “to proceed, pass, travel”) + -tus suffix of verbal action; verb derived from noun; see com-

Origin of congee²

First recorded in 1695–1700; from Tamil kañci, kañji

Explanation

Congee is a savory rice porridge that's a common breakfast dish in many cultures. Some people think of congee as Asian comfort food. Congee is derived from the Tamil kañci, and South Asia is one of the many regions where this dish is traditionally made. In China, it's called zhou, and in Japan it's kayu — there are other versions of this comforting porridge all over East and Southeast Asia, as well as on the Indian subcontinent. Congee makes a soothing, warm breakfast dish, and it's perfect for someone who's sick, as it's easy to digest.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

congee congeed

Walking to my car after lunch, I passed Young Cafe, a Taiwanese spot filled with diners huddled over plates loaded with fried pork cutlets, dumplings and bowls of steaming congee.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 2, 2023

Oatmeal or congee are two great options, as both have “a limitless number of combinations and directions.”

From Washington Post ● Dec. 13, 2022

You can use any leftover roasted meat to flavor this mild, comforting congee, which is delicately seasoned with white pepper.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 27, 2022

At its core, congee only needs rice and water, but upping the flavor ante is never a bad idea, especially when you're celebrating.

From Salon ● Nov. 25, 2022

His sentence was three weeks' imprisonment: the first week in solitary confinement on bread and water, and congee or rice gruel diet.

From Prisoners Their Own Warders A Record of the Convict Prison at Singapore in the Straits Settlements Established 1825 by McNair, John Frederick Adolphus

It was too late, however, to retract; I booked my bets, drank my wine, congeed my friends, went to bed, and woke the next morning to feel myself a dupe.

From Jack Hinton The Guardsman by Lever, Charles James