nutmeg Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun East Indian tree widely cultivated in the tropics for its aromatic seed; source of two spices: nutmeg and mace
Myristica fragrans; nutmeg tree.
noun hard aromatic seed of the nutmeg tree used as spice when grated or ground

OE. notemuge; note nut + OF. muge musk, of the same origin as E. musk; cf. OF. noix muguette nutmeg, F. noix muscade. See Nut, and Musk.

(Bot.) The kernel of the fruit of the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans), a native of the Molucca Islands, but cultivated elsewhere in the tropics. ✍ This fruit is a nearly spherical drupe, of the size of a pear, of a yellowish color without and almost white within. This opens into two nearly equal longitudinal valves, inclosing the nut surrounded by its aril, which is mace The nutmeg is an aromatic, very grateful to the taste and smell, and much used in cookery. Other species of Myristica yield nutmegs of inferior quality.