: a brittle or chewy glazed usually salted slender bread often shaped like a loose knot
Examples of pretzel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebToday, a vast array of snack items, from pretzels to mini-protein bars, are offered in 100-calorie packages.—Michelle Stacey, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024 And the amenities are solid too… free pretzels and Biscoff cookies, anyone?—Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 13 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for pretzel
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Word History
Etymology
German Brezel, ultimately from Latin brachiatus having branches like arms, from brachium arm — more at brace entry 2
: a brown cracker that is salted and usually hard and shaped like a loose knot
Etymology
from German Brezel "pretzel," derived from Latin brachiatus (adjective) "having branches like arms," from brachium, "arm" — related to braceentry 2
Word Origin
Pretzels were probably first made in the U.S. during the 19th century by immigrants from Germany. The English word pretzel comes from the German Brezel. The familiar knot-shaped pretzel has been known in Germanic countries for centuries. Its German name comes from the Latin brachiatus, which means "having branches like arms." The pretzel likely got its name because its knot shape looks something like a pair of folded arms.
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