Chiche
/ˈtʃɪtʃə/noun
An obsolete English word for a chickpea or similar pulse.
Did you know?The Roman statesman Cicero’s family name came from cicer, Latin for chickpea, reportedly because an ancestor had a chickpea-shaped facial mark or wart.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Near East
Semitic
kikkar
“A related ancient term associated with the chickpea; the ultimate source is uncertain and may involve borrowing between ancient languages.”
Classical Antiquity
Latin
cicer
“Chickpea.”
1st Century BCE
Latin
Cicero
“A Roman family name derived from cicer, “chickpea,” likely referring to a family physical feature or nickname.”
Old French
Old French
cece / chiche
“Chickpea; forms influenced by Latin cicer.”
Middle English
English
chiche
“Chickpea or pulse.”
Modern English
English
chiche
“An obsolete or historical term for a chickpea.”