nutmeg

noun nut·meg \ˈnət-ˌmeg, -ˌmāg\

: a spice made from the hard seed of a tropical tree and used in cooking and baking

Full Definition of NUTMEG

: 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 2

: a tree yielding nutmeg

See nutmeg defined for English-language learners

See nutmeg defined for kids

Origin of NUTMEG

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

Rhymes with NUTMEG

blackleg, bootleg, bowleg, dogleg, foreleg, jackleg, jake leg, JPEG, milk leg, MPEG, muskeg, peg leg, redleg, roughleg, Tuareg, unpeg

NUTMEGS Defined for Kids

nutmeg

noun nut·meg \ˈnət-ˌmeg\

Definition of NUTMEG for Kids

: a spice made from the ground seeds of a small tropical evergreen tree

Medical Dictionary

nutmeg

noun nut·meg \ˈnət-ˌmeg, -ˌmāg\

Medical Definition of NUTMEG

: 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

: a tree that produces nutmegs