Aubergine: meaning, definitions and examples

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aubergine

 

[ ˈɔːbəʒiːn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

vegetable, color

Aubergine, also known as eggplant in American English, is a member of the nightshade family and is characterized by its deep purple skin and spongy flesh. It is commonly used in various cuisines worldwide, often in dishes such as ratatouille, baba ghanoush, and curries. The term can also refer to the color that resembles this vegetable.

Synonyms

brinjal, eggplant

Examples of usage

  • I cooked an aubergine dish for dinner last night.
  • She wore an aubergine dress to the party.
  • In Mediterranean cuisine, aubergine is a staple ingredient.

Translations

Translations of the word "aubergine" in other languages:

🇵🇹 berinjela

🇮🇳 बैंगन

🇩🇪 Aubergine

🇮🇩 terong

🇺🇦 баклажан

🇵🇱 bakłażan

🇯🇵 ナス

🇫🇷 aubergine

🇪🇸 berenjena

🇹🇷 patlıcan

🇰🇷 가지

🇸🇦 باذنجان

🇨🇿 lilek

🇸🇰 baklažán

🇨🇳 茄子

🇸🇮 jajčevec

🇮🇸 eggaldin

🇰🇿 баклажан

🇬🇪 ბადრიჯანი

🇦🇿 badımcan

🇲🇽 berenjena

Word origin

The word 'aubergine' comes from the French language, which in turn got its reference from the Arabic word 'al-bāḵīnǧān', derived from Persian 'bād انجān (bād-anjān)'. The eggplant itself was domesticated from wild species in India and has been cultivated in various regions for centuries. It made its way to Europe in the Middle Ages, where it was initially met with skepticism due to its proximity to toxic nightshade plants. Over time, it gained popularity and became a staple in various cuisines. The name 'eggplant' originates from the white, egg-shaped varieties that were first brought to Europe, leading to the term's use in American English. The shift in terminology reflects both regional linguistic preferences and cultural culinary embraces.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,375, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.