buckwheat

[buhk-hweet, -weet]

noun

1. a plant, especially Fagopyrum esculentum, cultivated for its triangular seeds, which are used as a feed for animals or made into a flour for human consumption, as in pancakes or cereal.

2. the seeds of this plant.

3. Also buckwheat flour flour made from seeds of buckwheat.

adjective

1. made with buckwheat flour.

   buckwheat pancakes.

buckwheat

/ ˈbʌkˌwiːt /

noun

1. any of several polygonaceous plants of the genus Fagopyrum , esp F. esculentum , which has fragrant white flowers and is cultivated, esp in the US, for its seeds

2. the edible seeds of this plant, ground into flour or used as animal fodder

3. the flour obtained from these seeds

Other Word Forms

• buckwheatlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of buckwheat¹

1540–50; obsolete buck ( Old English bōc beech ) + wheat; compare Dutch boekweit, German Buchweizen; so called because its seeds resemble beechnuts

Word History and Origins

Origin of buckwheat¹

C16: from Middle Dutch boecweite , from boeke _beech + weite _wheat , from the resemblance of their seeds to beechnuts

Example Sentences

Initially they thought they would focus on native succulents and cactus for their yard until they began noticing white sage, buckwheats and sagebrush when they went running in the Laguna Hills and Santa Ana Mountains.

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Experts also suggested that allergic reaction warning labels should be added to foods containing pine nuts, buckwheat and sheep and goat's milk.

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There’s evidence that buckwheat and bush sunflower can take up lead, and saltbush can ensnare arsenic, Fang said, also name-checking corn, squash and cucumber for their ability to sequester contaminants such as dioxins.

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Based on their frequency, severity, recurrence, and potential for hidden exposure, the top four new ones are goat's and sheep's milk, buckwheat, peas and lentil, and pine nuts.

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After the heavy rains that winter, she was delighted to find them sprouting in the spring, fighting through the weeds along with buckwheat seedlings.

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