Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Syrian bean caper

Syrian bean caper

9.9
A bush from the eastern Mediterranean and southwest Asia whose flower buds are used as capers in cooking
  • noun
translation icon : alcaparra siria
  • The pickled buds of the Syrian bean caper are a popular ingredient in Mediterranean dishes.

Examples

  • A mature Syrian bean caper can grow up to a meter in height.

  • Chefs often use Syrian bean caper as a substitute for traditional capers in recipes.

  • The Syrian bean caper is often used in Mediterranean cuisine.

  • I love adding Syrian bean capers to my salads.

  • The pickled buds of the Syrian bean caper are a popular ingredient in Mediterranean dishes.

  • Chefs often use Syrian bean caper as a substitute for traditional capers in recipes.

  • I love adding Syrian bean capers to my salads.

Synonyms

bean caper
vsSyrian bean caper
8.7

A small bush whose pickled flower buds are used in cooking

is the more region-specific label for the same shrub
Zygophyllum fabago
vsSyrian bean caper
  • Specialized
9.9

A shrub that lives many years from the eastern Mediterranean and southwest Asia with flower buds sometimes pickled as capers

refers to the shrub whose buds are used in cooking

Surface Forms

Syrian bean caper singular
Syrian bean capers plural

Morphology

Syrian + bean + caper

The phrase names a type of caper associated with Syria and described as bean-like, so its meaning is directly built from 'Syrian' (from Syria) + 'bean' (bean-like) + 'caper' (edible pickled flower buds). This is a straightforward descriptive composition (adjective + noun + noun) with no idiomatic or metaphorical jump, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer the referent.

Etymology

The noun Syrian bean caper is a plant whose small flower buds look like little beans and are pickled and used like capers. Because it comes from Syria, the name helps you remember that this plant's buds are used as 'capers' in cooking.