mesquite

[me-skeet, mes-keet] /mɛˈskit, ˈmɛs kit/

noun

any of several usually spiny trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Prosopis, of the legume family, as P. juliflora or P. glandulosa, of western North America, having bipinnate leaves and beanlike pods and often forming dense thickets.

the wood of such a tree or shrub, used especially in grilling or barbecuing food.

any of various similar or related plants.

Also, mesquit.

Origin

1830-40, Americanism; < Mexican Spanish mezquite < Nahuatl mizquitl

Mesquite

[me-skeet, mi-] /mɛˈskit, mɪ-/

noun

a city in NE Texas, E of Dallas.

British Dictionary definitions for mesquite

mesquite

/mɛˈskiːt; ˈmɛskiːt/

noun

any small leguminous tree of the genus Prosopis, esp the tropical American P. juliflora, whose sugary pods (mesquite beans) are used as animal fodder Also called algarroba, honey locust, honey mesquite

Word Origin

C19: from Mexican Spanish, from Nahuatl mizquitl

Word Origin and History for mesquite

type of North American shrub of the pea family, 1759, from Mexican Spanish mezquite, from Nahuatl (Aztec) mizquitl "mesquite."

Encyclopedia Article for mesquite

Mesquite

city, Dallas county, northeastern Texas, U.S., adjacent to the city of Dallas (west). It was established in 1873 when the Texas and Pacific Railway acquired land for the town site (named for the mesquite shrubs that once covered the area), built a depot, and offered lots for sale. Until the 1950s Mesquite was primarily an agricultural town, and its population was quite small; after World War II, however, the city grew rapidly as the Dallas-Fort Worth area expanded. The city developed as a residential, industrial, and retail centre with many of its residents employed in Dallas, and it experienced rapid expansion in the second half of the 20th century. Tourist attractions include the Mesquite Championship Rodeo (weekends April through October) and an annual balloon festival, and the city boasts a well-equipped performing arts centre. Mesquite is the seat of Eastfield (community) College (1970). Inc. 1887. Pop. (1990) 101,484; (2000) 124,523.

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