Definition of "tamale" [ta•ma•le]

• A Mexican dish made of chopped meat and crushed peppers, highly seasoned, wrapped in cornhusks spread with masa, and steamed. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Is there an actual chance of getting a cheese tamale from the tamale lady or beef, chicken, cheese its a crap shoot?"
• "Or I’d order a cup of roasted corn topped with sour cream and salsa at a stand outside of Fiesta followed by a tamale from a Mexican butcher and a cheeseburger from Whataburger."
• "However, do yourself a favor and be sure to order the chile and cheese tamale, which is melt in your mouth delicious."