Meaning & Definition of word "Masa"

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!