Onionskin Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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onionskin
[ˈɒnjənˌskɪn ]
Definition
culinary term
Onionskin refers to the thin, papery outer layer of an onion. This layer is often discarded when preparing onions for cooking or serving, as it is not typically used in recipes. However, it can sometimes be used in stock for added flavor.
Synonyms
onion layer, onion peel.
Examples of usage
- I peeled the onionskin off before chopping the onion.
- The onionskin gave a rich color to the vegetable broth.
- Be sure to remove the onionskin if you're using whole onions in your dish.
Translations
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Origin of 'onionskin'
The term 'onionskin' combines the word 'onion', which comes from the Latin 'unio' meaning 'unit' or 'one', and 'skin', which has Old Norse origins from 'skinn' meaning 'skin' or 'hide'. The usage of 'onionskin' in English to describe the thin outer layer of an onion likely emerged in the culinary context as cooks began to discuss the preparation of ingredients in greater detail. Onions, widely used in various cuisines around the world, have always had layers, and the outermost layer, being the most delicate and often unwanted when cooking, became a point of focus in discussions about food preparation. The informal nature of the term also suggests that it became common in everyday language, making its way into the culinary lexicon as more people engaged in cooking and sharing recipes.