lenticchia

lentil

noun len-TEEK-kyah Rare

Origin: From Latin lenticula (small lens), diminutive of lens/lentis — the lens shape is named after the lentil, not vice versa.

Usage Note

Lenticchia is feminine and pluralises regularly to le lenticchie. A classic Italian dish is lenticchie con cotechino, eaten at New Year for good luck — lentils symbolise coins. Note the double 'c' in the plural: lenticchie, not lentichie.

Examples

"La zuppa di lenticchie è pronta."

Natural Translation

The lentil soup is ready.

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