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

“Liked the lentils … old-school graphics,” Ace Copy Editor Doug Norwood told me charitably about the reverse-crossword grid in Style Invitational Week 1446.

From Washington Post

I started learning to cook right out of college, when I lived in a group house with other young people who were always semi-broke, so we ate a lot of beans, lentils, rice, potatoes, and noodles.

From Outside Online

It’s giving me plenty of motivation to finally work through the once-toddler-size bag of lentils in my cupboard.

From Eater

James Park, Eater social media managerTo be honest, I’ve never been a huge fan of lentil soup.

From Eater

James Park, Eater social media managerTo be honest I’ve never been a huge fan of lentil soup.

From Eater

Tonight's dinner--lentil soup with ham--went in the slow cooker before work this morning.

From The Daily Beast

We have a rotating list of soups that we serve at François Payard Bakery, but my current favorite is the lentil.

From The Daily Beast

If you can find it, opt for a soup with a legume base like lentil or black bean.

From The Daily Beast

Depending upon how much lamb is included, the stew can be lentil with lamb or lamb with lentils.

From The Daily Beast

Lentil and Feta Cheese Salad by Nava Atlas and Fran Bigelow A few bites to transport you to the Mediterranean.

From The Daily Beast

The radio was blurting either soap operas, hill-billy music, or lentil-mouthed commentators.

From Project Gutenberg

What are then the objections to the point as illustrated in bean, coffee-berry, seed, and wooden lentil?

From Project Gutenberg

Within the cups lentil-shaped bodies are attached to the base and sides by elastic cords.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of these vesicles were the size of a lentil, and others as small as a millet-seed.

From Project Gutenberg

At some distance from this glandular body there was a small one of the same kind, about the size of a lentil.

From Project Gutenberg