masala
/məˈsɑːlə/
Etymology
Borrowed from Hindustani مصالحہ (maṣālḥa, maṣāliḥa) / मसाला (masālā, “spice(s)”), from Classical Persian مصالح (masālih, “affairs, materials, spices”), plural of مصلحت (maslahat, “affair, policy, best thing to do”), both from Arabic, derived from صَلَحَ (ṣalaḥa, “be fit, competent, usable”).
masala means any of many blends of spices used in Indian cuisine, most often containing cardamom, coriander, mace together with pepper, nutmeg, fennel seeds, jeera etc. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 89 out of 100.
Why this word is great
MASALA — [Noun] A prepared blend of ground spices used in Indian cuisine, or a dish prepared with such a mixture. From Hindustani मसाला / مصالحہ (masālā, "spice(s)"), from Classical Persian مصالح (masālih, "materials, spices"), plural of Arabic مَصْلَحَة (maṣlaḥa, "affair, best thing to do"), from صَلَحَ (ṣalaḥa, "to be fit or good"). Unlike "spice," a singular botanical essence, or "curry powder," a standardized commercial approximation, masala is a deliberate and variable grammar of heat and fragrance. It is the sizzle of mustard seeds in hot oil, the complex redolence of turmeric meeting asafoetida, and the deep warmth of garam masala dusted over finished dal—a fragrant order wrested from the entropy of the spice cabinet, a quiet testament that the best things are not found, but made.
noun
- Any of many blends of spices used in Indian cuisine, most often containing cardamom, coriander, mace together with pepper, nutmeg, fennel seeds, jeera etc.“A couple of vegetables, sambar (spicy and sour lentils and vegetables boiled with masalas and spices), rasam (a hot and fiery lentil soup-like dish) and curds (yoghurt) served with heaps of rice and eaten in that order. […] Basically, it’s a juicy naan bread with an egg coating, stuffed with mutton or chicken, rolled up and sprinkled with a unique masala that gives it its special flavor.”
- Any dish prepared with such spices.“We ordered two lamb bhunas and a masala.”
- Any powder of ground ingredients, not necessarily used in cuisine.