n.
   - a relish consisting of vegetables or fruit preserved in vinegar, brine, or mustard. ▸N. Amer. a cucumber preserved in this way. ▸liquid used to preserve food or other perishable items. 
- 
(a pickle)
 informal a difficult situation.
- an acid solution for cleaning metal objects.
v.
   - preserve (food) in pickle.
- immerse (a metal object) in an acid solution for cleaning.
- 
[as adj. pickled]
 informal drunk.
Derivative
  
  Etymology
  ME: from MDu., Mid. Low Ger. pekel, of unknown ultimate origin.