parsley

[pahr-slee]

noun

1. an herb, Pertoselinum crispum, native to the Mediterranean, having either curled leaf clusters French parsley or flat compound leaves Italian parsley, widely cultivated for use in garnishing or seasoning food.

2. the leaves of this plant, used to garnish or season food.

3. any of certain allied or similar plants.

adjective

1. Also parslied, parsleyed cooked or garnished with parsley.

   parsley potatoes.

parsley

/ ˈpɑːslɪ /

noun

1. a S European umbelliferous plant, Petroselinum crispum, widely cultivated for its curled aromatic leaves, which are used in cooking

2. any of various similar and related plants, such as fool's-parsley, stone parsley, and cow parsley

Other Word Forms

• parsleylike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of parsley¹

before 1000; Middle English persely, blend of Old English petersilie and Old French persil; both < Late Latin *petrosilium, alteration of Latin petroselīnum < Greek petrosélīnon rock-parsley. See petro- ¹, celery

Word History and Origins

Origin of parsley¹

C14 persely, from Old English petersilie + Old French persil, peresil, both ultimately from Latin petroselīnum rock parsley, from Greek petroselinon, from petra rock + selinon parsley

Example Sentences

Herbs and scallions are your fast, flavorful fix: a sprinkling of cilantro, parsley or chives adds aroma, color and lift.

From Salon

You can almost imagine its former life — department memos, summons from the dean, the occasional illicit letter between English faculty — now repurposed to dole out parsley, marjoram, garlic powder.

From Salon

Per LaMarita, radish greens are best enjoyed raw in salads and mixed with fresh kale, watercress, arugula, parsley or baby greens.

From Salon

But also mint, dill, parsley, tarragon if you’re a chaos agent.

From Salon

Add a handful of dill, saving some for garnish and a sprinkling of parsley.

From Salon