haricot
haricot Lexical Profile
haricot Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A variety of the common bean, especially the small white bean that is frequently dried and used in cooking, famously known as the primary ingredient in British baked beans.
"The chef soaked the dried haricots overnight before simmering them with herbs and pork."
A thick, traditional stew made of meat (usually mutton or lamb) cooked slowly with root vegetables.
"For Sunday supper, they enjoyed a hearty haricot of mutton served alongside crusty bread."
Word Nuance & Usage
In English culinary contexts, 'haricot' standing alone typically refers to the dried white bean (often called a navy bean in the US), whereas 'haricot vert' specifically designates the slender, fresh green bean.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from French 'haricot'. Originally in the 17th century it referred to a ragout or thick meat stew (possibly from Old French 'harigoter', meaning to cut up or slice). The name was later applied to the beans that were frequently cooked in such stews.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.