ENGLISH
REFERENCE

madras

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmædɹəs// UK //mədɹˈɑːs// madras

n. a spicy curry dish made with chili, lemon, and tomato. It is usually quite hot and has a bright red color.

n. a fairly hot curry dish originating from southern India, typically prepared with a base of chili powder, tomato, and lemon juice.


SIMPLE

I ordered a chicken madras for dinner because I like spicy food.

CONTEXTUAL

The restaurant's madras is known for its intense heat and rich, tangy sauce that pairs perfectly with plain rice.

COMPLEX

While milder curries rely on cream or coconut milk for texture, a madras derives its character from a sharp acidity and a significant quantity of dried red chilies.

Origin

The etymology is uncertain; it may derive from Madraspattinam. See Wikipedia for several possible etymologies.

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