garlic
UK: ˈɡɑːlɪk | US: ˈɡɑːrlɪk
n. a pungent bulbous plant used as a culinary seasoning
n. the bulb of this plant, composed of multiple cloves
garlic = gar<spear> + lic<leek>
- gar (from Old English gār, meaning "spear," referencing the shape of garlic cloves)
- lic (from Old English lēac, meaning "leek" or "plant," a common suffix for edible plants)
Etymology Origin:
The word garlic originates from Old English gārlēac, literally "spear-leek," combining gār (spear) and lēac (leek). This name reflects the spear-like shape of garlic cloves and its botanical kinship with leeks. Over time, gārlēac evolved into Middle English garlek and later modern garlic, retaining its culinary and morphological associations.
Garlic adds a strong flavor to pasta dishes.
She chopped fresh garlic for the stir-fry.
Ancient cultures believed garlic had medicinal properties.
The recipe calls for two cloves of crushed garlic.
His breath smelled strongly of garlic after lunch.