noun

clove

clove

Add one clove of garlic to the sauce.

Add one clove of garlic to the sauce.

Cloves are a common spice in winter drinks.

Cloves are a common spice in winter drinks.

a ((clove)) of garlic a segment of garlic The recipe calls for a clove of garlic.

a ((clove)) the spice She added a clove to the mulled wine.

Synonyms: (garlic) segment, bulb-let; (spice) none

From Old French 'clou' (nail), as the spice resembles a small nail. The garlic sense comes from its shape, which can be 'cloven' or split from the bulb.

For garlic, imagine 'cleaving' a piece off the bulb. For the spice, picture a tiny 'nail' (clou in French).

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.