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REFERENCE

chocolate

n. · adj. · v.
US //ˈtʃɔkɫət// UK //tʃˈɒklət// choco·late
  1. 1 sweet food (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a sweet, usually brown food made from roasted cocoa beans.

    a food preparation of roasted and ground cacao seeds, typically sweetened and flavoured.

    Example

    I bought a large bar of dark chocolate to share with my friends.

    Example

    The artisan tempered the chocolate until it achieved a glossy finish and a satisfying snap when broken.

    Usage

    Uncountable when referring to the substance in general.
  2. 2 a single candy (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a small, individual piece of candy made of or covered in chocolate.

    an individual praline or piece of confectionery made from or coated in chocolate.

    Example

    He offered me a chocolate from the box he received for his birthday.

    Example

    The box contained an assortment of hand-rolled chocolates, each filled with a different fruit ganache or salted caramel.

    Usage

    Countable in this sense.
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  1. 3 hot drink (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a drink made by mixing chocolate or cocoa powder with hot milk or water.

    a beverage consisting of chocolate or cocoa powder dissolved in hot milk or water.

    Example

    We sat by the fire and drank hot chocolate after skiing all day.

    Example

    The café serves a thick, traditional Italian chocolate that is almost the consistency of pudding.
    • hot cocoa
    • hot chocolate
  2. 4 colour (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a dark, reddish-brown colour.

    a deep, dark brown hue resembling the colour of processed cocoa.

    Example

    The walls of the library were painted a deep, rich chocolate.

    Example

    The designer recommended a palette of cream and chocolate to create a warm, sophisticated atmosphere in the master bedroom.
    • dark brown
    • umber
  3. 5 made of chocolate (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    made with or tasting like chocolate.

    composed of, containing, or having the flavour of chocolate.

    Example

    She baked a delicious chocolate cake for the party.

    Example

    The chef prepared a chocolate fondant with a molten centre, served alongside a tart raspberry coulis.

  4. 6 biology/lab (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    to heat a specific substance used for growing bacteria in a lab.

    to treat blood agar by heating it to lyse red blood cells, creating a medium for bacterial culture.

    Example

    The technician had to chocolate the agar before starting the experiment.

    Example

    The protocol requires the researcher to chocolate the blood agar carefully to ensure the release of growth factors necessary for the fastidious organisms.

    Usage

    Used as a transitive verb in laboratory contexts.

Origin

Borrowed from Spanish chocolate, from Classical Nahuatl chocolātl, of uncertain origin. See that entry for more information.

Idioms1 entry

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