nutmeg

noun

nut·​meg ˈnət-ˌmeg 

-ˌmāg

1

: an aromatic seed produced by an evergreen tree (Myristica fragrans of the family Myristicaceae, the nutmeg family) native to the Moluccas

also : the ground seed used as a spice compare mace sense 2

2

: a tree yielding nutmeg

Did you know?

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Pumpkin Pie: Spiced Whiskey for Dessert Pumpkin pie has flavors of nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove that call for a whiskey with complementary spice. —Emily Price, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Add the garlic, thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper and pinch of nutmeg. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024

Slice them up and eat them raw, or poach them in French cider with cinnamon, cloves, anise and nutmeg, like Noisette’s co-owner and pastry chef Lillian Lu does. —Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2024

Add the remaining 5 tablespoons of olive oil along with the balsamic, orange zest and nutmeg. —Sami Sparber, Axios, 7 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English notemigge, notemuge, ultimately from Old Occitan noz muscada, from noz nut (from Latin nuc-, nux) + muscada, feminine of muscat musky — more at muscat

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

nutmeg

noun

nut·​meg ˈnət-ˌmeg 

: a spice that consists of the ground seeds of a small tropical evergreen tree grown especially in Indonesia

also : the seed or tree

Medical Definition

nutmeg

noun

nut·​meg ˈnət-ˌmeg, -ˌmāg 

1

: an aromatic seed that is used as a spice and is produced by a tree of the genus Myristica (M. fragrans of the family Myristicaceae, the nutmeg family) native to the Moluccas

called also myristica

2

: a tree that produces nutmegs