Hardtack: meaning, definitions and examples

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hardtack

 

[ หˆhษ‘rdหŒtรฆk ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

food preservation

Hardtack is a type of simple, dry biscuit or cracker that has a long shelf life, making it a staple food for sailors and soldiers during long voyages or campaigns. It is typically made from flour, water, and sometimes salt, and is baked until hard. The texture is very dry and brittle, making it essential for emergency rations and survival situations. Hardtack can be eaten plain or soaked in water or other liquids to soften it for consumption.

Synonyms

biscuit, cracker, hardtack biscuit

Examples of usage

  • Sailors packed hardtack for long ocean voyages.
  • During the war, soldiers relied on hardtack as a primary food source.
  • Hardtack was often soaked in stew to make it more palatable.

Translations

Translations of the word "hardtack" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น biscoito de marinha

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคกเคผเคพ เคฌเคฟเคธเฅเค•เคฟเคŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Hartkeks

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ roti keras

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ััƒั…ะฐั€

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ twardy chleb

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็กฌใƒ‘ใƒณ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท pain dur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ biscocho duro

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sert ekmek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ•˜๋“œํƒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฎุจุฒ ู‚ุงุณูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tvrdรฝ chlรฉb

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ tvrdรฝ chlieb

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็กฌ้ฅผๅนฒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ trd kruh

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hartkex

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐั‚ั‚ั‹ ะฝะฐะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒงแƒแƒ แƒ˜ แƒžแƒฃแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sฤฑx รงรถrษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ galleta dura

Word origin

The word 'hardtack' dates back to the mid-19th century, derived from the combination of 'hard' (indicating the tough texture) and 'tack,' an old term for food. The origins of the biscuit itself can be traced to earlier periods when explorers and military personnel needed durable food sources that could withstand the rigors of transportation and storage. In the 17th and 18th centuries, seafarers would often prepare similar biscuits, recognizing the necessity for long-lasting provisions on their journeys. The production methods evolved over time, with hardtack becoming widely known as a key component of naval and military rations. Given its reputation for being hard and difficult to eat, sailors often referred to it as 'ship's biscuit' or 'tooth-destroyer.' Its role in the diet of soldiers during the American Civil War further solidified hardtack's place in culinary history as a practical sustenance item.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,711, 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.