pistachio

pis·ta·chio

noun \pə-ˈsta-sh(ē-ˌ)ō, -ˈstä-\

plural pis·ta·chios

Definition of PISTACHIO

: a small Asian tree (Pistacia vera) of the cashew family whose drupaceous fruit contains a greenish edible seed; also : its seed

Origin of PISTACHIO

Italian pistacchio, from Latin pistacium pistachio nut, from Greek pistakion, from pistakē pistachio tree, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian pistah pistachio tree

First Known Use: 1598

pistachio

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of nine species of aromatic trees and shrubs, some ornamental, that make up the genus Pistacia of the sumac (or cashew) family, native to Eurasia, with one species in southwestern North America and another in the Canary Islands. Commercial pistachio nuts are seeds from the fruit of P. vera. They have a pleasing, mild, resinous flavour and are used extensively as food and for yellowish green colouring in confections. The tree bears leaves with thick, wide, leathery, featherlike leaflets and small fruit in clusters.