Definition

A string or cord on which items like chilies, onions, or garlic are strung together for storage or display.

Example

The farmer hung a ristra of dried chilies in the kitchen to add flavor to his dishes.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a ristra of dried chilies before?

Yeah, I love how they look hanging in the kitchen.

I think I want to make my own ristra this summer.

That sounds like a fun project! I'd love to help you with it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ristra comes from Spanish 'ristra', which means a string or a series of items tied together, particularly in reference to a string of dried peppers or garlic. The word is derived from the Latin 'ristare', meaning to bind or tie together.

Memory Tip

Imagine a string that 'binds' together items like peppers or garlic — that's what a ristra is, a collection tied together.

Visually Confused Words