cauliflower

[kaw-luh-flou-er, -lee-, kol-uh-, kol-ee-]

noun

1. a form of cultivated plant, Brassica oleracea botrytis, of the mustard family, whose inflorescence forms a compact, usually whitish head.

2. this head, used as a vegetable.

cauliflower

/ ˈkɒlɪˌflaʊə /

noun

1. a variety of cabbage, Brassica oleracea botrytis, having a large edible head of crowded white flowers on a very short thick stem

2. the flower head of this plant, used as a vegetable

Word History and Origins

Origin of cauliflower¹

1590–1600; < Latin cauli ( s ) cole + flower; replacing coleflorie < Italian ca ( v ) olfiore, equivalent to cavol cole + fiore < Latin flōri- (stem of flōs ) flower

Word History and Origins

Origin of cauliflower¹

C16: from Italian caoli fiori, literally: cabbage flowers, from cavolo cabbage (from Latin caulis ) + fiore flower (from Latin flōs )

Example Sentences

The Salinas Valley stretches for about 90 miles across the county and is lined with rows of berries, lettuce, spinach, artichokes and cauliflower.

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Araceli, seen at 16, has planted lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli in the Santa Maria Valley.

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Johnson, squeezed into a wig so tight we get a vicarious headache, has pumped up his deltoids to nearly reach his prosthetic cauliflower ears.

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The 45-year-old works with a small team to cultivate rows of vegetables – including beans, spinach, cauliflower and tomatoes.

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The British Growers Association said supplies of brassicas – including broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage - were "tight" but better harvests in wetter parts of the UK should ensure vegetables still make it to the supermarkets.

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