Gourd: meaning, definitions and examples

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gourd

[gɔːrd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

vegetable

A gourd is a plant of the family Cucurbitaceae, particularly Cucurbita and Lagenaria or the fruit of the two genera of the family Cucurbitaceae. The term refers to a number of species and subspecies, many with hard shells, and some without. The shell of a gourd can be used for various purposes, including as containers, utensils, musical instruments, and decorations.

Synonyms

calabash, pumpkin, squash.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gourd	Natural container or musical instrument. Commonly dried and used as a utensil. He used a gourd to carry water. The musician played a tune on a gourd.
squash	Refers broadly to a variety of vegetables within the Cucurbitaceae family. Used in cooking and can be summer or winter varieties. He roasted some squash for dinner. Summer squash is great for salads.
pumpkin	Large, round, and orange fruit commonly associated with Halloween and Thanksgiving. Often used in cooking and baking. We carved a pumpkin for Halloween. She made a delicious pumpkin pie.
calabash	Specific type of gourd, often shaped into bowls, bottles, or other containers. Can also refer to certain plants that produce these types of gourds. She drank from a calabash. The calabash tree grows in tropical regions.

Examples of usage

Gourds are commonly used in arts and crafts for their unique shapes and sizes.
She used a dried gourd as a vase for the flowers.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

container

A gourd can also refer to the hard-shelled fruit of various plants, typically with a round or elongated shape. Gourds are often used as containers or vessels for storing liquids or food. They can be dried and hollowed out to create functional objects.

Synonyms

bottle, container, vessel.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gourd	Often used to describe a hard-shelled fruit, typically dried and used as a drinking vessel or decoration. The ancient tribe used carved gourds to carry water She made a beautiful lamp from a dried gourd
container	A general term for any object used to hold or store items, not limited to liquids. She put the leftovers in a container and placed it in the fridge The shipping container arrived at the port
vessel	Used to describe an object that holds liquids, often used in a formal or scientific context. Also, it can refer to a ship or large boat. The ancient vase was considered a precious vessel The cargo vessel docked at the harbor
bottle	Commonly used for holding liquids, especially beverages, medicines, or chemicals. Can be made from glass, plastic, or metal. He opened a bottle of wine to celebrate The scientist carefully labeled the bottle of chemicals

Examples of usage

She stored water in a large gourd.
Their ancestors used gourds as bowls for eating.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'gourd' comes from the Old French 'courge', which means 'squash' or 'pumpkin'.
It's derived from the Latin word 'cucurbita', which refers to various squashes and cucumbers.
The usage of the word dates back to the late Middle Ages when it was primarily about the inedible varieties.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, gourds are not just food; they're symbols of harvest and prosperity.
Some societies in Africa use dried gourds to create musical instruments, like percussion and rattles.
Gourds have historically been used for storage, utensil making, and even as bowls.

Botanical Facts

Gourds belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes cucumbers, melons, and squash.
They come in both edible and ornamental varieties, with some types being used to make decorative crafts.
The hard shells of some gourds can last for many years, allowing them to be used long after they are harvested.

Nutrition

While many gourds are used primarily for decoration, some are nutritious and can be cooked and eaten.
Certain varieties, like the bottle gourd, are low in calories and high in water content, making them great for hydration.
They contain vitamins such as Vitamin C and minerals such as potassium, contributing to a healthy diet.

Craft and Art

Gourds have been carved and painted by various cultures to create artwork and items for daily use.
In some traditions, gourds are meticulously transformed into intricate masks, bowls, and decorative art pieces.
Gourd crafting has become a popular hobby, particularly in rural communities, where artists find sustainable ways to use natural materials.

Translations

Translations of the word "gourd" in other languages:

🇵🇹 abóbora

🇮🇳 कद्दू

🇩🇪 Kürbis

🇮🇩 labu

🇺🇦 гарбуз

🇵🇱 dynia

🇯🇵 カボチャ

🇫🇷 courge

🇪🇸 calabaza

🇹🇷 kabak

🇰🇷 호박

🇸🇦 قرع

🇨🇿 dýně

🇸🇰 tekvica

🇨🇳 瓜

🇸🇮 buča

🇮🇸 grasker

🇰🇿 асқабақ

🇬🇪 გოგრა

🇦🇿 balqabaq

🇲🇽 calabaza

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,975, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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20972 mega
20973 trite
20974 accountancy
20975 gourd
20976 gingival
20977 flume
20978 preventative
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