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paprika

n.
B1 Intermediate US //pæˈpɹikə// UK //pˈæpɹɪkɐ// pa·pri·ka Archaic

n. a bright red powder made from dried peppers. You use it to add a sweet or spicy flavor to food like stews and soups.

n. a ground powder made from the dried pods of the Capsicum annuum plant, used as a spice and food coloring. Often used to describe the mild variety of the spice.


SIMPLE

Add a pinch of paprika to the soup for color.

CONTEXTUAL

The chef sprinkled paprika over the roasted vegetables to give them a slightly smoky flavor.

COMPLEX

While the mild variety of paprika is used for its vibrant color, the hotter varieties are often reserved for specific regional dishes where a sharp heat is desired.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Hungarian paprika, from Serbo-Croatian pàprika, from pȁpar, from Proto-Slavic *pьpьrь, from Latin piper, from Ancient Greek πέπερι (péperi, “pepper”), from Indo-Aryan; compare Sanskrit पिप्पलि (pippali, “long pepper”). Akin to paprikash.

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