nixtamal

noun

nix·​ta·​mal
ˌnēshtəˈmäl
plural nixtamal
"
or nixtamales
-(ˌ)lās
: limed kernels of corn that is ready to be ground into masa

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, from Nahuatl, from nextli ashes + tamalli tamale

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Cite this Entry

“Nixtamal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nixtamal. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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