Chinese cabbage

[chahy-neez kab-eej, chahy-nees]

noun

1. either of two cabbage subspecies, Brassica rapa pekinensis (napa cabbage ) or B. rapa chinensis (bok choy ), of the mustard family, with leaves used in salads and Asian cuisine.

Chinese cabbage

noun

1. Also called: pe-tsai cabbage. a Chinese plant, Brassica pekinensis, that is related to the cabbage and has crisp edible leaves growing in a loose cylindrical head

2. another name for bok choy

Word History and Origins

Origin of Chinese cabbage¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45