pickle 1
/pik"euhl/ , n. , v. , pickled, pickling .
n.
1. a cucumber that has been preserved in brine, vinegar, or the like.
2. Often, pickles . any other vegetable, as cauliflower, celery, etc., preserved in vinegar and eaten as a relish.
3. something preserved in a brine or marinade.
4. a liquid usually prepared with salt or vinegar for preserving or flavoring fish, meat, vegetables, etc.; brine or marinade.
5. Metall. an acid or other chemical solution in which metal objects are dipped to remove oxide scale or other adhering substances.
6. Informal. a troublesome or awkward situation; predicament: I was in a pickle after the check bounced.
7. Informal. a sour, disagreeable person.
v.t.
8. to preserve or steep in brine or other liquid.
9. to treat with a chemical solution, as for the purpose of cleaning.
10. to give a pale, streaked finish to (wood) by applying and partly removing paint or by bleaching, as to give an appearance of age.
11. Slang. to store; prepare for long-range storage: Let's pickle these old cars for a few years.
[ 1400-50; late ME pikkyll, pekille pekel ( > G Pökel ) brine, pickle ]
Syn. 6. plight, quandary; fix, bind, scrape, jam.
pickle 2
/pik"euhl/ , n. Scot. and North Eng.
1. a single grain or kernel, as of barley or corn.
2. a small amount; a little.
[ 1545-55; perh. n. use of pickle to take tiny bits of food in eating, freq. of PICK 1 ; see -LE ]