raisin

Everyday

A raisin is a dried grape, small, wrinkly, brown and sweet. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life raisins are snacks and baking ingredients (cakes, buns, cereal). In science they show drying and change (a grape loses water to become a raisin) and the «dancing raisins» experiment with fizzy water. In safety, raisins and grapes are poisonous to dogs. Phrases: «a box of raisins», «raisin bread», «oatmeal and raisin».

Examples

• I have a small box of raisins in my lunch. tree →
• Raisins are grapes that have been dried in the sun. tree →
• Mum puts raisins in the scones. tree →
• Never give raisins to a dog; they can make it very ill. tree →
• In our experiment, raisins danced up and down in lemonade. tree →
• Oatmeal and raisin cookies are my favourite. tree →
• A raisin is wrinkly because it lost most of its water. tree →
• Raisins are sticky, so brush your teeth after eating them. tree →
• The fountains spouted forth the most delicious wine, and whoever bought a penny loaf at the baker's received six large buns, full of raisins, as a present. tree →

Note

Countable: «a raisin», «raisins». Pronounced RAY-zin. Trap: in French «raisin» means grape, but in English it means only a dried grape. Related: «sultana», «currant» (other dried grapes, different kinds).

In Jewish tradition

Raisin cakes were offered in the worship of idols. They were also a food in Israelite life.

Interpretation. Hosea's wife is shown as loving other gods, like raisin cakes. The tradition reads this as Israel's unfaithfulness, yet God still loves her.

Examples

• And the LORD said unto me: 'Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend and an adulteress, even as the LORD loveth the children of Israel, though they turn unto other gods, and love cakes of raisins. (Prophets HOS.3.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: «a raisin», «raisins». Pronounced RAY-zin. Trap: in French «raisin» means grape, but in English it means only a dried grape. Related: «sultana», «currant» (other dried grapes, different kinds).