Main Entry:

mar·ga·rine

Pronunciation:

\ˈmär-jə-rən, -ˌrēn; ˈmärj-rən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, ultimately from Greek margaron pearl, probably back-formation from margaritēs

Date:

1836

: a food product made usually from vegetable oils churned with ripened skim milk to a smooth emulsion and used like butter