mustard

plural mustards

1. uncountableusuallyA plant of certain species of the genus Brassica, or of related genera (especially Sinapis alba, in the family Brassicaceae, with yellow flowers, and linear seed pods).

   Synonyms: senvy

2. uncountableusuallyPowder or paste made from seeds of the mustard plant, and used as a condiment or a spice.

   He loved having mustard and toast for breakfast.

   1 more example

   When the waitress brought the food, I asked whether she had any Dijon mustard.

3. uncountableusuallyThe leaves of the mustard plant, used as a salad.

   Mustard and cress sandwiches.

4. uncountableusuallyDark yellow colour, the colour of mustard.
5. uncountableusuallyOne of a family of vesicants containing one or more 2-chloroethyl (C₂H₄Cl) groups, commonly used in chemical warfare and cancer chemotherapy.
6. uncountableusuallyThe tomalley of a crab, which resembles the condiment.
7. abbreviationellipsisuncountableusuallyEllipsis of mustard gas.
8. colloquialuncountableusuallyball gamesEnergy, power (when throwing a baseball).

   He's left-handed and in his adulthood didn't have a baseball glove to call his own. He borrowed one of mine and just out of the car, still wearing his lab coat having worked an overnight shift, he taught himself to throw right-handed and put plenty of mustard on it.

   2022 October 20, Scott Russell, “Sport was the great connection for Scott Russell and his father”, in CBC News, archived from the original on 22 Oct 2022

1. not comparableOf a dark yellow colour.

   1 more example

   Everything about her year-old restaurant, from the minimalist menu (about a dozen items) with refreshingly drivel-free descriptions to the decor (unadorned warm mustard walls, unclothed bistro tables), reflects her love of bringing people to the table for good, simple food that's not eclipsed by bells and whistles.

   2007, Cincinnati Magazine, page 81

2. not comparableslangVery good, or very skilled.

   My expectations of public services were nil, so any time within a month was fine by me. They did it in less than a week, which was mustard.

   2005, Bernard Hare, Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew, London: Sceptre, →ISBN, page 168

plural Mustards

1. A surname.