espresso
Etymology

Borrowed from Italian espresso, from caffè espresso ("pressed-out coffee"), form of esprimere ("to press out"), from Latin exprimere, from ex- ("out") + primere ("to press").

Some sources derive the term from “expressly (‘individually, directly’) made for the customer”, or as “fast” (Italian espresso also meaning “fast”, as in English express ("fast")) but these are not widely credited.

Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /ɛˈspɹɛsəʊ/, /ɪˈspɹɛsəʊ/, /əˈspɹɛsəʊ/; (proscribed) /ɛkˈspɹɛsəʊ/, /ɪkˈspɹɛsəʊ/
  • (America) IPA: /ɛˈspɹɛsoʊ/; (proscribed) /ɛkˈspɹɛsoʊ/, /ɪkˈspɹɛsoʊ/
Noun

espresso

  1. A concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee.
  2. A drink that includes espresso as an ingredient.
Synonyms
  • 'spro (slang)
Related terms Translations


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