barbecue

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun meat that has been barbecued or grilled in a highly seasoned sauce
  2. noun a cookout in which food is cooked over an open fire; especially a whole animal carcass roasted on a spit
  3. noun a rack to hold meat for cooking over hot charcoal usually out of doors

Etymology

From mid-17th century. Borrowed from Spanish barbacoa, from Taíno barbakoa (“framework of sticks”), the raised wooden structure the natives used to either sleep on or cure meat. Originally “meal of roasted meat or fish”. Doublet of balbacua and barbacoa.

In classic literature

Synonyms

barbeque

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