salsify

[sal-suh-fee]

noun, plural sal·si·fies.

a purple-flowered, composite plant, Tragopogon porrifolius, whose root has an oyster-like flavor and is used as a culinary vegetable.

Nearby words

Origin of salsify

1690–1700; < French salsifis, variant of sassefy, sassef(r)ique < Italian sassef(r)ica) < ?

Also called oyster plant, vegetable oyster.

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

Examples from the Web for salsify

Mrs. Salsify now began to regard Dick with different eyes, as what prudent mother would not?
Eventide|Effie Afton
Mrs. Salsify looked up to a peg on which she had hung six nicely-dressed chickens the night before.
Eventide|Effie Afton
Salsify is commonly known as 'Vegetable Oyster,' and is an excellent component of a Salad.
The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots, 16th Edition|Sutton and Sons
Cook some salsify until tender, slice it into quarters lengthways, and cut it into 3-in.
A Comprehensive Guide-Book to Natural, Hygienic and Humane Diet|Sydney H. Beard

"Thank you," said Amy taking the bunch of keys from Mrs. Salsify's hand.
Eventide|Effie Afton

British Dictionary definitions for salsify

salsify

noun plural -fies

Also called: oyster plant, vegetable oyster a Mediterranean plant, Tragopogon porrifolius, having grasslike leaves, purple flower heads, and a long white edible taproot: family Asteraceae (composites)

the root of this plant, which tastes of oysters and is eaten as a vegetable

Word Origin for salsify

C17: from French salsifis, from Italian sassefrica, from Late Latin saxifrica, from Latin saxum rock + fricāre to rub

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

Word Origin and History for salsify

salsify

biennial plant, 1710, from French salsifis, earlier sercifi, sassify (16c.), probably from Italian erba salsifica, from Old Italian salsifica, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Latin sal "salt" + fricare "to rub."