Évider

Évider is a French verb that generally means to hollow out or to empty something. Its usage can vary depending on the context, but the core concept involves removing the inner contents or substance of an object.

In culinary contexts, évider is frequently used to describe preparing ingredients for cooking. For example, one might évider a zucchini or a pumpkin, meaning to remove the seeds and pulp from the inside to create a cavity. Similarly, poultry or fish can be évidé before cooking, referring to the removal of internal organs.

Beyond cooking, évider can also refer to hollowing out non-food items. A sculptor might évider a block of wood or stone to create a hollow form. The verb can also be used figuratively, to describe making something empty or devoid of substance, such as évider une idée de son sens, meaning to strip an idea of its meaning.

The etymology of évider traces back to the Old French word "vide," meaning empty, which itself comes from the Latin "viduus" also signifying empty or devoid. The prefix "é-" often indicates a change of state or the action of making something into the state described by the root word. Therefore, évider literally means to make empty.