aspic

1
[ as-pik ]
/ ˈæs pɪk /

noun

a savory jelly usually made with meat or fish stock and gelatin, chilled and used as a garnish and coating for meats, seafoods, eggs, etc.
a similar jelly made with spiced tomato juice and gelatin, served as a salad.

Origin of aspic

1
1780–90; < French; perhaps so called because the form or color resembled those of an asp. See aspic2

Words nearby aspic

asphyxia, asphyxia livida, asphyxia neonatorum, asphyxiant, asphyxiate, aspic, aspidistra, aspinwall, aspirant, aspirata, aspirate

Definition for aspic (2 of 3)

aspic 2
[ as-pik ]
/ ˈæs pɪk /

noun

Obsolete. asp1.

Origin of aspic

2
1520–30; < Middle French, perhaps equivalent to Old French asp(e) asp1 + -ic, modeled on Middle French basilique basilisk

Definition for aspic (3 of 3)

aspic 3
[ as-pik ]
/ ˈæs pɪk /

noun

a variety of lavender cultivated for its oil, used in perfumes and toiletries.

Origin of aspic

3
1595–1605; < French; Old French espic < Medieval Latin spīcus spikenard, Latin: variant of spīca, spīcum spike2

Example sentences from the Web for aspic

British Dictionary definitions for aspic (1 of 3)

aspic 1
/ (ˈæspɪk) /

noun

a savoury jelly based on meat or fish stock, used as a relish or as a mould for meat, vegetables, etc

Word Origin for aspic

C18: from French: aspic (jelly), asp 1; variously explained as referring to its colour or coldness as compared to that of the snake

British Dictionary definitions for aspic (2 of 3)

aspic 2
/ (ˈæspɪk) /

noun

an archaic word for asp 1

Word Origin for aspic

C17: from French, from Old Provençal espic spike, from Latin spīca, head (of flower); compare spikenard

British Dictionary definitions for aspic (3 of 3)

aspic 3
/ (ˈæspɪk) /

noun

either of two species of lavender, Lavandula spica or L. latifolia, that yield an oil used in perfumery: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

Word Origin for aspic

C16: from Old French, a variant of aspe asp ²