sultana
sultana Lexical Profile
sultana Game Scores & Validity
• noun
British A small, pale, seedless raisin produced from a specific variety of white grape, commonly used in baking and cooking.
"She stirred a handful of sultanas into the hot oatmeal before serving."
The wife, mother, sister, or daughter of a sultan; a female member of a sultan's family.
"The powerful sultana wielded significant political influence behind the scenes during the height of the Ottoman Empire."
Word Nuance & Usage
In North American English, a sultana is typically referred to as a 'golden raisin', whereas in British and Commonwealth English, the term 'sultana' is the standard household term.
• Rhymes for sultana
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Late 16th century: from Italian 'sultana', the feminine of 'sultano' (sultan), which ultimately traces back to the Arabic 'sulṭān' meaning 'power' or 'ruler'. The dried fruit derives its name from the sultana grape, likely implying a royal or superior quality.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.