Margarine

//ˈmɑɹ.d͡ʒə.ɹɪn// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A spread, manufactured from a blend of vegetable oils (some of which are hydrogenated), emulsifiers etc, mostly used as a substitute for butter. uncountable, usually
  2. 2
    a spread made chiefly from vegetable oils and used as a substitute for butter wordnet
  3. 3
    The solid ingredient of human fat, olive oil, etc. dated, uncountable, usually
Verb
  1. 1
    To spread or cover (something) with margarine. transitive

    "Putting the finishing touches on her party dinner, this attractive hostess does the last minute job of margarining her rolls to serve piping hot to her guests."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Borrowed from French margarine, from acide margarique (“margaric acid”), from Ancient Greek μάργαρον (márgaron, “pearl”), in allusion to its pearly lustre, with the suffix -ine, influenced by glycérine (“glycerine”). French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul named margaric acid after its pearl-like crystallization.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from French margarine, from acide margarique (“margaric acid”), from Ancient Greek μάργαρον (márgaron, “pearl”), in allusion to its pearly lustre, with the suffix -ine, influenced by glycérine (“glycerine”). French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul named margaric acid after its pearl-like crystallization.

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