piccalilli
Americannoun
-
piccalillis
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of piccalilli
1760–70; earlier piccalillo Indian pickle; obscurely akin to pickle 1
Explanation
In some regions of the U.S., piccalilli is a condiment made of finely chopped sweet peppers, pickles, or tomatoes. You might add piccalilli to your hotdog or hamburger at a summer cookout. The word piccalilli (originally piccalillo) comes from pickle. The earliest versions of these chopped vegetable concoctions were a reinterpretation of traditional South Asian pickle by British colonizers. Piccalilli in all its forms is much less spicy than the Indian version; in England, it's often made with cauliflower and cucumber, and seasoned with turmeric and mustard. Classic American pickle relish is also a kind of piccalilli.
Vocabulary lists containing piccalilli
5th Grade World Cuisine, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary from Readings 1, Unit 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There’s an extra charge for crusty whole-grain bread that’s not made in-house but worth having alongside the porky slab of Huntsham Court Farm terrine with piccalilli.
From New York Times ● Jul. 15, 2016
The rib-eye is smartly paired with piccalilli and mini cheddar-and-horseradish popovers, just the rousing contrapuntal notes for the meat's rich marbling and char.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 24, 2010
"You had to import Bird's custard, Branston pickle and piccalilli... you had to buy PG Tips and then deal with the French milk."
From The Guardian ● Apr. 24, 2010
The Senator was rushed in & out of the fair grounds before he had a chance to admire a steer or sample a jar of piccalilli.
From Time Magazine Archive
Moist, indecorous slabs of cold boiled beef, beer for six, two jars of piccalilli and a round of over-ripe Gorgonzola cheese, offered piteous appeal to a jaded, untasting palate.
From The Sixth Sense A Novel by Stephen McKenna
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
