lentil

[len-til, -tl]

noun

1. a plant, Lens culinaris, of the legume family, having flattened, biconvex seeds used as food.

2. the seed itself.

lentil

/ ˈlɛntɪl /

noun

1. a small annual leguminous plant, Lens culinaris, of the Mediterranean region and W Asia, having edible brownish convex seeds

2. any of the seeds of this plant, which are cooked and eaten as a vegetable, in soups, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of lentil¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Old French lentille, from Vulgar Latin lentīcula (unrecorded), from Latin lenticula; lenticle

Word History and Origins

Origin of lentil¹

C13: from Old French lentille, from Latin lenticula, diminutive of lēns lentil

Example Sentences

“But answering letters is far less unpleasant than picking lentils out of ashes, so I shall do my best and try to be cheerful about it.”

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Many of the amphorae were covered with written notations, which indicated previous uses such as storing olives or lentils.

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It is a key component of protein synthesis and is abundant in protein-rich foods like meat, dairy products, and legumes such as beans and lentils.

Read more on Science Daily

When a blood test showed somewhat low iron, for instance, one hurried physician sent me a message saying, “Eat lentils.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One of her earliest memories of food dates back to her infancy spent in Cameroon, when her mother fed her bowls of dal chawal, or lentils and rice.

Read more on Salon