asparagus

[uh-spar-uh-guhs]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Asparagus, of the lily family, especially A. officianalis, cultivated for its edible shoots.

2. the shoots, eaten as a vegetable.

asparagus

/ əˈspærəɡəs /

noun

1. any Eurasian liliaceous plant of the genus Asparagus, esp the widely cultivated A. officinalis, having small scaly or needle-like leaves

2. the succulent young shoots of A. officinalis, which may be cooked and eaten

3. a fernlike species of asparagus, A. plumosus, native to southern Africa

Other Word Forms

• asparaginous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of asparagus¹

before 1000; < Latin < Greek asp ( h ) áragos; replacing Old English sparagi (< Medieval Latin ) and later sperage, sparrowgrass

Word History and Origins

Origin of asparagus¹

C15: from Latin, from Greek asparagos, of obscure origin