an ornamental receptacle or stand for holding plants, flowers, etc.
various vegetables diced and boiled or glazed, used for garnishing meat or poultry.
an ornamental pot or trough for plants
a garnish of fresh vegetables, cooked, diced, and served around a dish of meat
1835–45; < French, feminine of jardinier gardener, equivalent to Old French jardin garden + -ier -ier 2
The word jardiniere may seem a little fancy — and in fact, it is the word for two things that are a little fancy: an ornate flowerpot or plant stand, and a colorful veggie garnish that jazzes up a meal. The term jardiniere comes from the French word for "gardener." Of course, gardeners may grow flowers, or they may grow vegetables, and a jardiniere is a way that either of those products can be showcased. As a flowerpot or plant stand, a jardiniere may be made of ceramic, metal, or wood featuring intricate designs. In the culinary world, a jardiniere adds a pop of color and flavor to an otherwise plain dish. In both cases, fancy.
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.
