Meaning & Definition of word "Masa"
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Masa
/ˈmɑː.sɑ/
noun:
- 1. A type of dough made from cornmeal, used in various Latin American cuisines to make tortillas, tamales, and other dishes.
- Example: The chef prepared fresh masa for the homemade tortillas.
- 2. A term used in some cultures to refer to a mass or clump of something, often food-related.
- Example: She rolled the masa into small balls to prepare for the tamales.
- 3. In some contexts, masa can refer to the collective mass or mixture of ingredients before cooking.
- Example: The masa for the empanadas needed to be kneaded until smooth.
verb:
- 1. To form into a mass or a dough-like consistency; often used informally.
- Example: She masáed the flour and water together until it was well combined.
Etymology
From Spanish, derived from Nahuatl 'māzātl', which means 'corn'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
masa harina:
A type of flour made from ground masa, used primarily in Mexican cooking.
masa dough:
The dough made from masa used for various recipes.
masa for tamales:
Masa specifically prepared for making tamales.
Related Words
tortilla:
A thin flatbread made from masa, often used as a wrap or side dish.
tamale:
A traditional Mexican dish made of masa filled with various ingredients and wrapped in corn husks.
Slang Meanings of masa
Meaning: Money or wealth, often used in casual contexts.
Example Sentence: He's got a lot of masa to spend on this trip.
Meaning: A significant amount of something, not limited to material goods.
Example Sentence: That party had a masa of fun activities!