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salad

n. C / U
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈsæɫəd// UK //sˈæləd// sal·ad General-service

n. a cold dish made of small pieces of food, like vegetables, fruit, or meat. It is often served with a liquid sauce called a dressing.

n. a cold dish consisting of a mixture of raw or cooked vegetables, often accompanied by a dressing. It may also incorporate fruit, grains, or proteins such as meat or cheese.


SIMPLE

I usually have a fresh green salad for lunch.

CONTEXTUAL

The waiter brought a large bowl of potato salad to the table for everyone to share during the barbecue.

COMPLEX

While traditionally served as a side dish, a hearty salad containing quinoa and roasted vegetables can function as a nutritionally balanced main course.

Origin

PIE word *séh₂ls From Middle English salade, from Old French salade, borrowed from Northern Italian salada, salata (compare insalata), from Vulgar Latin salāta, from salāre, from Latin saliō, from sal (“salt”). Vegetables were seasoned with brine or salty oil-and-vinegar dressings during Roman times.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the food in general; countable when referring to a specific portion or a particular variety.

Idioms3 entries

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