Etymology

Often said to come from xocolātl (e.g. American Heritage Dictionary 2000) or chocolatl (e.g. dictionary.com 2006), which would be derived from xococ, bitter, and ātl, water, (with an irregular change of x to ch). However, the form xocolatl is not directly attested, and chocolatl does not appear in Nahuatl until the mid-18th century. Dakin and Wichmann (2000) propose that the chocol- element refers to a special wooden stick used to prepare chocolate, and suggest the correct etymology to be chicolātl, a word found in several modern Nahuatl dialects.

In any case, the word chocolate reached English via .

Noun

1. A food made from ground roasted cocoa beans.

   Chocolate is a very popular treat.

2. A single, small piece of confectionery made from chocolate.

   He bought her some chocolates as a gift.

3. A dark, reddish-brown colour/color, like that of chocolate.

   As he cooked it the whole thing turned a rich deep chocolate.

Related terms

• chocolatier

Adjective

1. Made of or containing chocolate.
2. Having a dark reddish-brown colour/color.

See also

• black bottom pie
• Black Forest gateau
• brownie
• cacao
• carob
• cocoa bean
• cocoa butter
• crème de cacao
• devil’s food cake
• ganache
• lamington

• marquise
• mocha
• mochaccino
• mole
• Nanaimo bar
• praline
• sacher torte
• tollhouse cookie
• truffle
• Appendix:Colours