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Webster 1913 Edition


Asparagus

As-par′a-gus

(ăs-păr′ȧ-gŭs)
,
Noun.
[L., fr. Gr.
ἀσπάραγος
,
ἀσφάραγος
; cf.
σπαργᾶν
to swell with sap or juice, and Zend
çparegha
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
Liliaceæ
, 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
Asparagus officinalis
, which form a valuable and well-known article of food.
☞ This word was formerly pronounced
sparrowgrass
; but this pronunciation is now confined exclusively to uneducated people.
Asparagus beetle
(Zool.)
,
a small beetle (
Crioceris asparagi
) injurious to asparagus.

Webster 1828 Edition


Asparagus

ASPAR'AGUS

,
Noun.
[L. and Gr. probably from to tear, from its lacerated appearance, or from the root of a spire, from its stem.]
Asparagus, sperage, vulgarly, sparrow-grass; a genus of plants. That which is cultivated in gardens, has an upright herbaceous stalk, bristly leaves, and equal stipulas. The roots have a bitterish mucilaginous taste; and the stalk is, in some degree, aperient and deobstruent, but not very efficacious.

Definition 2024


Asparagus

Asparagus

See also: asparagus

Translingual

Proper noun

Asparagus m

  1. A taxonomic genus within the family Asparagaceae asparaguses.

Hypernyms

asparagus

asparagus

See also: Asparagus

English

Bundles of green and white asparagus

Wikispecies

Noun

asparagus (plural asparagus or asparaguses)

  1. Any of various perennial plants of the genus Asparagus having leaflike stems, scalelike leaves, and small flowers.
  2. The young shoots of Asparagus officinalis eaten as a vegetable.
  3. A green colour, like that of an asparagus.
    asparagus colour:    

Synonyms

Translations


Latin

Etymology

Also found in Medieval Latin. From Ancient Greek ἀσπάραγος (aspáragos).

Pronunciation

  • (Classical) IPA(key): /asˈpa.ra.ɡus/, [asˈpa.ra.ɡʊs]

Noun

asparagus m (genitive asparagī); second declension

  1. asparagus; shoot, sprout-like asparagus, samphire

Inflection

Second declension.

Case Singular Plural
nominative asparagus asparagī
genitive asparagī asparagōrum
dative asparagō asparagīs
accusative asparagum asparagōs
ablative asparagō asparagīs
vocative asparage asparagī

Descendants

References