harissa
harissa Lexical Profile
harissa Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A spicy and aromatic chili pepper paste originating in the Maghreb region of North Africa, typically made from roasted red peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices such as cumin and coriander.
"The chef stirred a spoonful of harissa into the tagine to add a deep, smoky heat to the stew."
A traditional Armenian and Middle Eastern dish consisting of a thick porridge made from slowly simmered cracked wheat and meat.
"During the winter festival, the community gathered to share large, steaming bowls of harissa."
Word Nuance & Usage
Harissa most commonly refers to a spicy North African chili paste, but it can also refer to a completely unrelated traditional Armenian and Middle Eastern porridge made of cracked wheat and meat, causing potential confusion in broad culinary contexts.
• Rhymes for harissa
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Arabic هَرِيسَة (harīsa), derived from the verb هَرَسَ (harasa, 'to crush, to mash'), referencing the physical mashing of the chili peppers or the wheat grains.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.