gumbo

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun any of various fine-grained silty soils that become waxy and very sticky mud when saturated with water
  2. noun tall coarse annual of Old World tropics widely cultivated in southern United States and West Indies for its long mucilaginous green pods used as basis for soups and stews; sometimes placed in genus Hibiscus
  3. noun long mucilaginous green pods; may be simmered or sauteed but used especially in soups and stews

Etymology

Borrowed from Louisiana French gombo, possibly via Louisiana Creole gombo, from Kimbundu ingombo, plural of kingombo (“okra”); compare Portuguese quingombó.

In classic literature

Synonyms

gumbo soil

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