Definitions for: Asparagus


[n] edible young shoots of the asparagus plant
[n] plant whose succulent young shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable



Webster (1913) Definition: As*par"a*gus, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, ?; cf. ? to swell
with sap or juice, and Zend ?paregha prong, sprout, Pers.
asparag, Lith. spurgas sprout, Skr. sphurj to swell. Perh.
the Greek borrowed from the Persian. Cf. Sparrowgrass.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of perennial plants belonging to the
natural order Liliace[ae], and having erect much
branched stems, and very slender branchlets which are
sometimes mistaken for leaves. Asparagus racemosus is a
shrubby climbing plant with fragrant flowers.
Specifically: The Asparagus officinalis, a species
cultivated in gardens.

2. The young and tender shoots of A. officinalis, which
form a valuable and well-known article of food.

Note: This word was formerly pronounced sparrowgrass; but
this pronunciation is now confined exclusively to
uneducated people.

Asparagus beetle (Zo["o]l.), a small beetle ({Crioceris
asparagi}) injurious to asparagus.

Synonyms: Asparagus officinales, edible asparagus

See Also: asparagus, asparagus, Asparagus officinales, edible asparagus, genus Asparagus, herb, herbaceous plant, vegetable, veggie

Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animals starting with h
animlas that start with n