chickpea
UK: ˈtʃɪkpiː | US: ˈtʃɪkpiː
n. a round yellowish seed, used as a vegetable or in salads; also called garbanzo bean.
chickpea = chick<small bird> + pea<legume>
- chick (from Middle English chike, meaning "young bird"): Likely influenced by the seed's resemblance to a small bird's head or size.
- pea (from Latin pisum, via Old English pise): Refers to the legume family.
Etymology Origin:
The word "chickpea" originated in the 18th century as a folk etymology, blending "chick" (due to the seed's small, round shape) and "pea" (its botanical classification). Earlier, it was called chiche pease in Middle English, from Latin cicer (the plant's scientific name). Over time, "pease" was misinterpreted as a plural, leading to the modern "pea."
Chickpeas are a staple ingredient in hummus.
She added roasted chickpeas to her salad for extra protein.
The recipe calls for one cup of cooked chickpeas.
Chickpea flour is commonly used in gluten-free baking.
Farmers in India grow vast quantities of chickpeas annually.