nutmeg
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a hard, brown seed that is ground into a powder and used to add flavor to food.
n.the aromatic seed of the evergreen tree Myristica fragrans, typically grated or ground for use as a culinary spice.
Simple“She added a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce to give it a warm flavor.”
In context“The recipe calls for freshly grated nutmeg, which provides a more potent aroma than the pre-ground variety found in most supermarkets.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a move in football where a player kicks the ball through an opponent's legs.
n.a skill move in association football or field hockey in which a player kicks or pushes the ball between an opponent's legs.
Simple“The crowd cheered when the striker performed a perfect nutmeg on the defender.”
In context“Executing a successful nutmeg requires not only technical precision but also the ability to anticipate the defender's stride pattern.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to kick the ball between an opponent's legs during a game.
v.to successfully pass the ball through the legs of a defending player. Transitive — takes the player being beaten as the direct object.
Simple“He managed to nutmeg the goalkeeper and score a brilliant goal.”
In context“The winger was known for his flair, often attempting to nutmeg his markers rather than simply sprinting past them.”
From Middle English notemege, notemuge, a partial translation of Medieval Latin nux muga, a variant of Medieval Latin nux muscata (“musky nut”). Compare also Old French nois mugede. For the term used in various ball sports, see Wikipedia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.