soy
soy Lexical Profile
soy Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The protein-rich edible seed or bean of the soybean plant (Glycine max), widely used as a culinary legume and processed into foods such as tofu, soy milk, and vegetable oil.
"Many vegetarian diets rely heavily on soy as a primary source of complete protein."
A bushy annual leguminous plant (Glycine max) of the pea family Fabaceae, native to East Asia and cultivated globally for its nutritious seeds, oil, and soil-enriching nitrogen fixation.
"Farmers in the Midwest often rotate corn and soy crops to maintain healthy soil nutrients."
A dark, salty liquid condiment made from fermented soybeans, roasted grain, brine, and Aspergillus molds, used extensively in East and Southeast Asian cooking; soy sauce.
"She seasoned the stir-fried vegetables with a splash of dark soy and sesame oil."
• Rhymes for soy
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 17th century via Dutch 'soja' from Japanese 'shōyu' (soy sauce), which itself derives from Chinese 'jiàngyóu' (fermented paste oil). In English, the word originally referred exclusively to the condiment before being extended in the 19th century to the plant and its bean.