Definition

A type of food made from the thymus gland or pancreas of a young animal, often a calf or lamb.

Example

Many chefs consider sweetbread to be a delicacy in gourmet cooking.

Conversation

Have you ever tried sweetbread at a restaurant?

I haven't, but I heard it's really tasty!

Yeah, it's actually the thymus of a young animal, and it's quite popular in some cuisines.

That sounds interesting! I should give it a try sometime.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sweetbread is formed from "sweet" (from Old English *swete*, meaning having a pleasant taste) and "bread" (from Old English *brēad*, meaning a piece of food or a loaf). The term refers to the culinary use of certain organs, particularly the thymus or pancreas, which are considered delicacies and have a sweet flavor when cooked.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sweet' as having a pleasant taste and 'bread' as a piece of food. This helps you remember that sweetbread refers to a tasty delicacy made from certain organs.

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