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lentil

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

lentil leguminous Old World annual plant ( Lens culinaris ) with whitish or pale blue flowers. Its pods contain two greenish-brown or dark-colored seeds, also called lentils, which when fully ripe are ground into meal or used in soups and stews. Probably indigenous to SW Asia, and known to have been used as early as the Bronze Age, the lentil was introduced to Greece and Egypt before biblical times and was one of the first food plants cultivated in Europe. Esau sold his heritage for a mess of lentils—although the name in the Scriptures may have been applied to several plants. Lentils are unusually high in protein content and are much used for food in Europe, especially by the poor, and increasingly in the United States. Many varieties are cultivated, for the seeds as well as for forage. Lentil seeds, from their shape, gave their name to the magnifying lens. The gulfweed (see seaweed ) is sometimes called sea lentil. Lentils are classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Rosales, family Leguminosae.

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lentil

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

len·til / ˈlent(ə)l/ • n. 1. a high-protein pulse that is dried and then soaked and cooked before eating. 2. the plant (Lens culinaris) that yields this pulse, native to the Mediterranean and Africa.

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"lentil." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"lentil." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-lentil.html

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lentil

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

lentil Annual plant of the pea family that grows in the Mediterranean region, sw Asia and n Africa. It has feather-like leaves and is cultivated for its nutritious seeds. Height: to 51cm (20in). Family Fabaceae/Leguminosae; species Lens culinaris.

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lentil

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

lentil XIII. — (O)F. lentille :- Rom. *lentīcula, for L. lenticula, dim. of lēns, lent- lentil.

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T. F. HOAD. "lentil." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "lentil." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-lentil.html

T. F. HOAD. "lentil." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-lentil.html

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lentil

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

lentil •anthill • Edgehill • sidehill • molehill •foothill • dunghill •sigil, strigil, vigil •strongyle • Virgil • Gaitskell • orchil •roadkill • Danakil • overkill •amyl, Tamil •treadmill • windmill • gristmill •sawmill • watermill • vinyl • mini-pill •overspill • Caryl •mandrel, mandrill •Avril •beryl, Cheryl, chrysoberyl, imperil, Merrill, peril, Sheryl •tendril • April • Cyril • fibril • nombril •nostril • Bovril • tumbril • escadrille •espadrille • gracile • Cecil • utensil •codicil • windowsill •dactyl, pterodactyl •pastille • standstill •dentil, lentil, ventil •quintile • pistil • postil • tormentil •ethyl

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Lentils offer flavorful bargain; The tiny legumes produce quick dishes at a... Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN); 3/3/2011
	Lentil dishes to set pulses racing; Yes, they're good for you, but don't let... Newspaper article from: The Mail on Sunday (London, England); 11/14/2010
	Worldwide taste for lentils; Nutritious meals don't need meat.(FOOD) Newspaper article from: The Washington Times (Washington, DC); 2/15/2006