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Nutmeg is native to the Moluccas, Indonesian islands in the Malay Archipelago of Southeast Asia. The word nutmeg, however, comes from Old Occitan, a Romance language spoken in southern France during the latter half of the Middle Ages. Old Occitan "noz muscada" combines "noz" ("nut"), from Latin nuc-, nux, with "muscada," a feminine form of muscat, meaning "musky." The history of "muscat" can in turn be traced back through Late Latin, Greek, and Middle Persian to a Sanskrit word meaning "mouse."
Examples of nutmeg in a Sentence
Bill Buford, The New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2024
Garnish with orange zest and top with grated nutmeg.
—Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
Here’s what experts have to say about a nutmeg high.
—Sarah Cottrell, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024
What is still prevalent on the island is nutmeg, which along with tuna is a mainstay of the local economy, although nutmeg is also grown in many other places now.
—Muktita Suhartono Nyimas Laula, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024
Notes of cinnamon, pumpkin, vanilla, and coffee beans are common for sweeter, more decadent candles while notes of cloves, nutmeg, and amber lean spicy.
—Michelle Rostamian, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2023
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and baking soda.
—Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024
Mix the flour, sugars, baking powder, nutmeg, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper and candied ginger in a separate bowl.
—Kathleen Purvis, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Stir in some black pepper with other spices (nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice) for a flavor reminiscent of gingerbread.
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nutmeg.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Nutmeg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nutmeg. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nutmeg
noun
Medical Definition
nutmeg
noun
called also myristica
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