marmite
UK /ˈmɑːˌmaɪt/ · US /ˈmɑɹˌmaɪt/ noun, proper noun, adjective, verb
Forms marmites Marmiting Marmited
- noun A rounded cooking pot of various designs, commonly pot-bellied, with or without tripod, handles, lid etc; originally earthenware but currently more commonly of cast iron or other metals.
- proper noun (Commonwealth) A brand of sticky, dark brown, strongly flavored spread based on a yeast extract (a by-product of beer brewing), eaten on toast, in sandwiches, in savory dishes, etc.
- noun (UK, informal) Something which people either love or hate.
- adjective (UK, informal) Divisive, such that one either loves or hates it; polarizing.
- verb (transitive) To apply Marmite to.
Etymology
Borrowed from French marmite.
From French marmite (“cooking pot”). The common-noun sense derives from an advertising campaign (1996 and onwards) featuring the slogan love it or hate it.
Sources: Wiktionary — from the Wiktionary entry “marmite”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details