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!