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sparrowgrass

American  
[spar-oh-gras, -grahs] / ˈspær oʊˌgræs, -ˌgrɑs /

noun

Informal.
  1. asparagus.


sparrowgrass British  
/ ˈspærəʊˌɡrɑːs /

noun

  1. a dialect or popular name for asparagus

"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

Etymology

Origin of sparrowgrass

First recorded in 1650–60; by folk etymology

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A serving maid whisked away my uneaten sparrowgrass and replaced it with scallops and tomato aspic.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

“It is my fault,” Father said, cutting into a sparrowgrass spear.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

I reached for the goblet and trailed my balloon sleeves through the sparrowgrass sauce.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

On Father’s plate and mine was sparrowgrass covered with a tarragon-mustard sauce.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

Look at old Pedro and Philippa over there, setting out that stuff that looks like sparrowgrass.

From West Wind Drift by McCutcheon, George Barr