pesto

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A sauce, especially for pasta, originating from the Genoa region in Italy, made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and cheese (usually pecorino).

Pronunciation

/ˈpɛstoʊ/ /ˈpɛstəʊ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-pesto.wav

Word forms

pesto pestos

Etymology

Appears 1850 in Cottage economy, attributed to William Cobbett (but not found in any editions published during his life). From Italian pesto, from Latin pistus (“crushed, pounded”), from Latin pīnsō (“to pound, beat, crush”). Cognate to pestle.

Derived words

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