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horseradish root

horseradish root

3.8
A white root grated to give sauces or meat a strong hot taste
  • noun
  • /ˈhɔrsˌrædɪʃ ruːt/
translation icon : raíz de rábano picante
  • To make a zesty sauce, mix grated horseradish root with sour cream and serve it alongside beef.

Examples

  • In cold climates, horseradish root is harvested in late fall when the leaves have been finished off by the first frosts.

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  • Horseradish root is commonly grated and used as a spicy condiment for meats and sandwiches.

  • In many recipes, horseradish root adds a sharp flavor that enhances the taste of dishes.

Synonyms

horseradish
vshorseradish root
16 3.9

A plant with a thick white root that is grated to add spice to food

is only the pungent root rather than the whole plant

How Pungent

wasabi
5 4.9
horseradish root
3.8
ginger
94 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

horseradish + root

The meaning is directly compositional: 'horseradish' specifies the plant/ingredient and 'root' specifies the underground organ, so together they mean the root of the horseradish plant used as a condiment. This follows a common noun-noun/compound pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the phrase.

Etymology

Horseradish root uses horse to suggest something very strong and radish to show it is a root plant. People called it this because the root has a sharp, 'spicy' bite that feels powerful, so the name helps you remember it is a strong root used as a seasoning.