eggplant

[ eg-plant, -plahnt ]

/ ˈɛgˌplænt, -ˌplɑnt /

noun

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

the fruit of this plant used as a table vegetable.

a blackish purple color; aubergine.

Nearby words

egghead, eggheaded, eggler, eggleston, eggnog, eggplant, eggs benedict, eggshell, eggshell porcelain, egham, egis

Origin of eggplant

First recorded in 1760–70; egg¹ + plant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for eggplant

Tomatoes are nightshades, a plant family whose other members include tobacco, potatoes, pimentos, peppers, eggplant and paprika.
Pizza Might Be Your Enemy|Daniela Drake|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The sweet potato fries (actually roasted) and eggplant pizza were perfectly prepared.
Michelle Obama’s Charm Offensive|Margaret Carlson|February 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Then add the zucchini, peppers, eggplant, and chilies and cook, stirring for a further 10 minutes.
We Are Off to the Races!!|Lydia Brownlow|June 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The book is worth reading for the chapter titles alone: "Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant," "Repulsive Dinners: A Memoir."
Classic Food Memoirs|Tien Nguyen|March 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Transfer the eggplant to a food processor, purée and set aside.
Into the Heart of Turkey|Sophie Menin|September 28, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Peel and slice an eggplant and soak over night in cold salted water.
The Myrtle Reed Cook Book|Myrtle Reed
When the whole is thoroughly blended, pack it into the shell of the eggplant and place in the oven.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 2|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
Slice the eggplant in slices one third of an inch thick, pare, put into a deep dish, and cover with cold water well salted.
The Myrtle Reed Cook Book|Myrtle Reed
Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise, and steam or bake in a very slow oven.
The Khaki Kook Book|Mary Kennedy Core
When an eggplant is prepared in this way, it will appear as in Fig. 16.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 2|Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

British Dictionary definitions for eggplant

eggplant

/ (ˈɛɡˌplɑːnt) /

noun

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

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

Also called: aubergine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012