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nutmeg definition

nut·meg (nut′meg′)

noun

  1. the hard, aromatic seed of an East Indian tree (Myristica fragrans) of the nutmeg family: it is grated and used as a spice, and its outer covering yields the spice mace
  2. the tree itself

Etymology: ME notemygge, partial transl. of OFr nois muguete < Prov noiz muscade, lit., musky nut < L nux, nut + LL muscus, musk

adjective

designating a family (Myristicaceae, order Magnoliales) of tropical, dicotyledonous trees

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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