endive

American  

[en-dahyv, ahn-deev, ahn-deev] / ˈɛn daɪv, ˈɑn div, ɑ̃ˈdiv /

noun

endives plural

1. a composite plant, Cichorium endivia, having a rosette of often curly-edged leaves used in salads.

2. Also called French endive,.  Also called Belgian endive,.  Also called witloof.  a young chicory plant, deprived of light to form a narrow head of whitish leaves that are eaten as a cooked vegetable or used raw in salads.

3. Furniture. an ornamental motif having the form of an arrangement of acanthus or endive leaves.

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endive British  

/ ˈɛndaɪv /

noun

1. a plant, Cichorium endivia, cultivated for its crisp curly leaves, which are used in salads: family Asteraceae (composites) Compare chicory

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• endives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of endive

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French ≪ Medieval Greek entýbia, plural of entýbion, derivative of earlier éntybon < Latin intubum, intibum, earlier intubus chicory, endive, perhaps < Semitic

Compare meaning

How does endive compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• escarole vs. endive
• chicory vs. endive

Example Sentences

ENDIVE, Cichorium Endivia, an annual esculent plant of the natural order Compositae, commonly reputed to have been introduced into Europe from the East Indies, but, according to some authorities, more probably indigenous to Egypt.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various