parsnip

[pahr-snip]

noun

1. a plant, Pastinaca sativa, cultivated varieties of which have a large, whitish, edible root.

2. the root of this plant.

parsnip

/ ˈpɑːsnɪp /

noun

1. a strong-scented umbelliferous plant, Pastinaca sativa, cultivated for its long whitish root

2. the root of this plant, eaten as a vegetable

3. any of several similar plants, esp the cow parsnip

Word History and Origins

Origin of parsnip¹

1350–1400; earlier pars ( e ) nep, pass ( e ) nep, Middle English pas ( t ) nep ( e ) < Latin past ( ināca ) parsnip (derivative of pastinum forked dibble) + Middle English nep turnip; neep

Word History and Origins

Origin of parsnip¹

C14: from Old French pasnaie, from Latin pastināca, from pastināre to dig, from pastinum two-pronged tool for digging; also influenced by Middle English nepe _turnip

Example Sentences

One sceptical Labour MP said it was a "nice political gesture that doesn't butter any parsnips."

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

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I keep this soup quite minimal, but if it's to your liking, throw in some carrots or parsnips or whatever you have on hand to round out the flavors all the more.

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While the cost of turkey and sprouts has driven down the cost of a Christmas dinner this year, what you pay for potatoes, carrots and parsnips has shot up.

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There were some photos with the spaghetti and then a mushroom risotto and a parsnip white miso soup and that soup really stood out for me.

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