lettuce

[let-is]

noun

1. a cultivated plant, Lactuca sativa, occurring in many varieties and having succulent leaves used for salads.

2. any species of Lactuca.

3. Slang.,  U.S. dollar bills; greenbacks.

lettuce

/ ˈlɛtɪs /

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Lactuca, esp L. sativa, which is cultivated in many varieties for its large edible leaves: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. the leaves of any of these varieties, which are eaten in salads

3. any of various plants that resemble true lettuce, such as lamb's lettuce and sea lettuce

Word History and Origins

Origin of lettuce¹

1250–1300; 1925–30 lettuce for def. 3; Middle English letuse, apparently < Old French laitues, plural of laitue < Latin lactūca a lettuce, perhaps derivative of lac, stem lact- milk, with termination as in erūca rocket ² (or by association with Greek galaktoûchos having milk)

Word History and Origins

Origin of lettuce¹

C13: probably from Old French laitues, pl of laitue, from Latin lactūca, from lac- milk, because of its milky juice

Example Sentences

In announcing Gramma’s death, the zoo posted video of her munching on vegetarian meals — romaine lettuce and cactus fruit were particular favorites — and meandering around her habitat and lazily plodding through a pond.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her mother, in a separate interview, said in Spanish that her “head began to hurt” after she entered a lettuce field where a tractor had sprayed liquid that smelled like chemicals.

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

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In response to the crisis, a tabloid newspaper started livestreaming a video of an unrefrigerated head of lettuce to see if it could outlast Truss’ premiership.

Read more on Barron's

In response to the crisis, a tabloid newspaper started livestreaming a video of an unrefrigerated head of lettuce to see if it could outlast Truss’ premiership.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• bread 
• cabbage