garlic

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun bulbous herb of southern Europe widely naturalized; bulb breaks up into separate strong-flavored cloves
  2. noun aromatic bulb used as seasoning

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English garlek, garlik, from Old English gārlēac (“garlic”, literally “spear-leek”), from gār ("spear"; in reference to its sharp, tapering leaves) + lēac (“leek”). Cognate with Scots garlic (“garlic”), Faroese geirleykur (“garlic”), Icelandic geirlaukur (“garlic”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

Allium sativum

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