dressing
dressing Lexical Profile
dressing Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A liquid or semi-liquid sauce, typically made of oil, vinegar, and various seasonings, used to flavor salads or other cold dishes.
"She tossed the crisp lettuce and cherry tomatoes with a light vinaigrette dressing."
A sterile pad, compress, or piece of material applied directly to a wound or incision to promote healing, absorb drainage, and prevent infection.
"The nurse carefully removed the old dressing from the patient's surgical incision and applied a fresh, sterile one."
North American A savory, seasoned mixture of ingredients, typically based on breadcrumbs, herbs, and butter, served as an accompaniment to roasted meat or poultry; stuffing.
"For Thanksgiving dinner, they prepared a traditional cornbread dressing flavored with sage and celery."
Word Nuance & Usage
In North American culinary contexts, the terms "dressing" and "stuffing" are often used interchangeably, though traditionally "stuffing" is cooked inside the poultry cavity while "dressing" is baked in a separate dish.
• Rhymes for dressing
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Middle English verb 'dressen' (to prepare or arrange) combined with the suffix '-ing'. Historically used to describe the act of preparation, eventually specializing to refer to culinary sauces, wound coverings, and clothing oneself.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.