Lentil

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: len=til

CIDE DICTIONARY

Lentil, n. [F. lentille, fr. L. lenticula, dim. of lens, lentis, lentil. Cf. Lens.].

 A leguminous plant of the genus Ervum (Ervum Lens), of small size, common in the fields in Europe. Also, its seed, which is used for food on the continent.  [1913 Webster]
" The lentil of the Scriptures probably included several other vetchlike plants."  [1913 Webster]

Lentil shell (Zoöl.), a small bivalve shell of the genus Ervillia, family Tellinidæ.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Lentil, n.
1 a leguminous plant, Lens culinaris, yielding edible biconvex seeds.
2 this seed, esp. used as food with the husk removed.

Etymology

ME f. OF lentille f. L lenticula (as LENS)