noun
lentil
LEN-tul/ˈlentl/
A legume with small, flat edible seeds.
The opened pod holds two lentil seeds with flattened, lens-shaped bodies.
Etymology
Latin lenticula was a diminutive of lens, a name for both the lentil plant and its seed. English preserves the edible-seed meaning of that plant name.
In context
the lentil being a lens shaped flat seed soaks up water a lot quicker and usually completely cooks within an hour
More examples
- Each lentil plant produces small pods that hold its seeds.
- I rinse the lentils before adding them to the pot.
- Red lentils soften into a creamy mixture as they cook.
Forms
lentil · lentils
Similar words
- pulse
- A broader term for edible dried seeds of legumes.
- legume
- Names the broader plant group, including beans, peas, and lentils.