eggplant

[eg-plant, -plahnt]

noun

1. a plant, Solanum melongena esculentum, of the nightshade family, cultivated for its edible, dark-purple or occasionally white or yellow fruit.

2. the fruit of this plant used as a table vegetable.

3. a blackish purple color; aubergine.

eggplant

/ ˈɛɡˌplɑːnt /

noun

1. a tropical Old World solanaceous plant, Solanum melongena, widely cultivated for its egg-shaped typically dark purple fruit

2. the fruit of this plant, which is cooked and eaten as a vegetable

Word History and Origins

Origin of eggplant¹

First recorded in 1760–70; egg ¹ + plant

Example Sentences

Somewhere between the eggplants and the onions, she disappeared behind a door and emerged with a perfect ruby orb.

From Salon

“It’s All Good” recommends cutting coffee, sugar, wheat, eggs, meat, shellfish, potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant and corn.

From Salon

There was always a steady supply of bitter melon, eggplant, gai lan and bok choy.

From Los Angeles Times

On the runway, tomatoes joined eggplants, zucchinis, hot peppers and Farfalle pasta as big, bold prints in Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Collection.

From Salon

Roots and vegetables are natural fits: turnips, parsnips, cauliflower, mushrooms, roasted eggplant, fennel, sunchokes.

From Salon