nutmeg

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the hard aromatic seed of the nutmeg tree, grated or ground for use as a spice

   She grated a little nutmeg over the custard before serving it.

2. 2
   noun

   the tropical evergreen tree Myristica fragrans, which produces nutmeg and mace

   The nutmeg thrives in the warm, humid climate of the Banda Islands.

From Middle English notemuge, ultimately a partial translation of Old Occitan noz muscada ('musky nut'), from Latin nux ('nut') and a word meaning 'musky'. Nutmeg and mace come from different parts of the same fruit.

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