A small, flat, round seed that is eaten as a food, often in soups, stews, or salads. Lentils are a type of legume and are high in protein and fiber.
From Latin *lenticula* meaning “little lens,” from *lens* (lentil), because of its lens-like shape. The word later passed through Old French into English.
The word for ‘lens’ in your glasses comes from lentils, because early lenses were shaped like these tiny beans. Every time you hear about camera lenses, you’re hearing an echo of a humble food.
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