First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1pickle
noun pick·le \ˈpi-kəl\
Definition of PICKLE
1
: a solution or bath for preserving or cleaning: as a : a brine or vinegar solution in which foods are preserved b : any of various baths used in industrial cleaning or processing
2
: a difficult situation : plight <could see no way out of the pickle I was in — R. L. Stevenson>
3
: an article of food that has been preserved in brine or in vinegar; specifically : a cucumber that has been so preserved
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Origin of PICKLE
Middle English pykyl, pekill sauce, gravy, from or akin to Middle Dutch peeckel brine
2pickle
verb
: to preserve (food) with salt water or vinegar
pick·ledpick·ling \-k(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of PICKLE
transitive verb
1
: to treat, preserve, or clean in or with a pickle
2
: to give a light finish to (as furniture) by bleaching or painting and wiping
See pickle defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PICKLE
1570
3pickle
noun
Definition of PICKLE
2
Scottish : a small quantity
Origin of PICKLE
perhaps from Scots pickle to trifle, pilfer
First Known Use: 1552
PICKLE Defined for Kids
1pickle
noun pick·le \ˈpi-kəl\
Definition of PICKLE for Kids
1
: a piece of food and especially a cucumber that has been preserved in a solution of salt water or vinegar
2
: a mixture of salt and water or vinegar for keeping foods : brine
3
: a difficult or very unpleasant situation <A nice pickle they were all in now … with three angry trolls … — J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit>
2pickle
verb
pick·ledpick·ling
Definition of PICKLE for Kids
: to soak or keep in a solution of salt water or vinegar
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