tortilla

American  

[tawr-tee-uh, tawr-tee-yah] / tɔrˈti ə, tɔrˈti yɑ /

noun

Mexican Cooking.

plural

tortillas

1. a thin, round, unleavened bread prepared from cornmeal or sometimes wheat flour, baked on a flat plate of iron, earthenware, or the like.

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tortilla British  

/ tɔːˈtiːə /

noun

1. Mexican cookery a kind of thin pancake made from corn meal and cooked on a hot griddle until dry

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Etymology

Origin of tortilla

1690–1700; < Spanish, equivalent to tort ( a ) cake ( torte ) + -illa diminutive suffix < Latin -ella

Example Sentences

Authorities say the fire started in the carport after Hales, 46, failed to turn off a propane tank to a stove she was using to make tortilla chips and left it on overnight.

From Los Angeles Times

A few loaves from a bakery or a stack of warm tortillas instantly make a table feel generous and give people something to reach for while they decide what else to try.

From Salon

“I cover it with a towel, like with tortillas, and warm it for like a minute,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The boxes are for empty tortilla chip and plastic produce bags, used clothing, light bulbs and batteries.

From Los Angeles Times

An elephant's trunk can surpass a human's height and lift trees -- a marvel of strength that's conversely so gentle it can grasp a tortilla chip without breaking it.

From Barron's