sorrel
/ˈsɒrəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɔːrəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsȯr-əl ˈsär-/ (ame, mw)
sorrel — noun
1. A leafy plant whose leaves have a sharp, sour taste similar to lemon. People use
A leafy plant whose leaves have a sharp, sour taste similar to lemon. People use the fresh leaves in salads, soups, and sauces to add a tangy flavour.
Mei picked fresh sorrel from her garden and added it to her summer salad.
uncountable noun: 'fresh sorrel'
The chef simmered sorrel leaves with cream and butter to make a light soup.
collocation: sorrel leaves / sorrel soup
In spring, farmers at the local market sell bundles of bright green sorrel.
- dock
a related plant in the same genus (Rumex); some dock species are edible but less commonly used in cooking
用法筆記
Uncountable noun when referring to the plant as a food ingredient (e.g., 'a handful of sorrel', 'a bunch of sorrel'). Do not confuse this culinary sorrel (genus Rumex) with wood sorrel (genus Oxalis), which is a different plant.
常見錯誤
2. A small plant with three heart-shaped leaves that fold up at night and small yel
A small plant with three heart-shaped leaves that fold up at night and small yellow, pink, or white flowers. The leaves and stems have a mild sour taste.
The children picked wood sorrel along the path and nibbled the tender leaves.
Lin noticed yellow wood sorrel flowers growing in the cracks of the old brick wall.
collocation: wood sorrel
Kenji pressed a wood sorrel flower between the pages of his notebook to keep it.
- Oxalis
scientific genus name for all wood sorrel species
- wood sorrel
common English name; used interchangeably with 'sorrel' for this meaning
- sour grass
informal name in some regions, including parts of Asia
用法筆記
Also called 'wood sorrel' or simply 'Oxalis.' In Taiwan, the common yellow-flowered Oxalis corniculata is a frequent garden weed that children often pick and eat for its sour taste. May be used as a countable noun (one plant) or uncountable (the plant as a type).
3. A horse whose coat falls in the range between a reddish-brown tan and a pale bro
A horse whose coat falls in the range between a reddish-brown tan and a pale brown colour. The mane and tail match the body or are lighter, with no black markings on the legs or face.
The farmer led a handsome sorrel out of the stable for the afternoon ride.
countable noun: 'a sorrel' = a sorrel horse
Diego's favourite horse on the ranch was a gentle sorrel mare named Cinnamon.
At the county fair, the sorrel won second place in the light-horse class.
- chestnut
a similar reddish-brown horse colour; in some regions 'chestnut' is used for darker shades and 'sorrel' for lighter ones
用法筆記
Countable noun (a sorrel = a sorrel-colored horse). Used mainly in North American horse-breeding contexts. In some traditions, 'sorrel' and 'chestnut' refer to different shades of reddish-brown horses — sorrel is lighter, chestnut is darker.
常見錯誤
4. A warm brownish orange to light brown colour, similar to the coat of a sorrel ho
A warm brownish orange to light brown colour, similar to the coat of a sorrel horse. Used mainly to describe horse coats, leather goods, and autumn leaves.
The autumn leaves had turned a deep sorrel colour before they finally fell.
Elena chose a sorrel-toned leather bag to match her brown boots.
compound modifier: 'sorrel-toned'
The painter mixed yellow ochre with a touch of red to create a rich sorrel.
用法筆記
Uncountable noun when referring to the colour itself (e.g., 'a deep sorrel', 'shades of sorrel'). Commonly used as a modifier ('sorrel-coloured', 'sorrel-toned') or in compound colour names ('sorrel brown').