cavatappi

noun

ca·​va·​tap·​pi ˌkä-və-ˈtä-pē How to pronounce cavatappi (audio)
: pasta in the form of a spiral tube

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, literally, "corkscrew," from cava "(it) draws out, extracts" (3rd person singular of cavare "to extract") + tappi, plural of tappo "cork, stopper," borrowed from Germanic *tapp-

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cavatappi was in 1984

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Dictionary Entries Near cavatappi

Cite this Entry

“Cavatappi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cavatappi. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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