casserole
UK: ˈkæs.ər.əʊl | US: ˈkæs.ər.oʊl
n. a large, deep dish used for baking and serving food
n. a meal cooked and served in such a dish, typically consisting of meat, vegetables, and a starchy binder
casserole = casse<pan> + role<diminutive suffix>
- casse (from French casse, meaning "pan" or "container," derived from Latin cattia, a cooking vessel)
- role (a French diminutive suffix, indicating smallness or endearment)
Etymology Origin:
The word casserole traces back to 18th-century French, where casse referred to a pan, and the suffix -role softened it to imply a smaller or more refined version. Originally denoting the dish itself, the term later expanded to describe the food prepared in it—a reflection of French culinary culture’s influence on English. The shift from container to content highlights how cooking tools often lend their names to the meals they produce.
She baked a hearty chicken casserole for dinner.
The ceramic casserole cracked when exposed to sudden heat.
Traditional casseroles often include layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce.
He brought a vegetarian casserole to the potluck.
The recipe calls for a deep casserole to ensure even cooking.