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

Three-pound tomatoes, 9-pound cucumbers, carrots over three feet long, parsnips over four feet long.

From Eater

The other half of that mixture is whisked with olive oil and vinegar to make a sumptuous drizzle for the carrot and parsnip batons which are roasted on the sheet pan alongside the fish.

From Washington Post

Braised short ribs come with escorts of parsnip puree and grilled carrots, their earthiness heightened with a drizzle of coffee oil.

From Washington Post

Maple Parsnip Cake With Maple Meringue Frosting This cake is full of fall ingredients, maple and parsnips.

From The Daily Beast

Old Jerry was pure boiler plate; he could squeeze ten per cent interest out of a frozen parsnip.

From Project Gutenberg

Half an hour before dinner add a small onion, a sliced parsnip and carrot, a few bits of turnip, and a half-dozen dumplings.

From Project Gutenberg

The Apios belongs to the family of Umbellifer, and is consequently allied to celery, parsnip, and carrot.

From Project Gutenberg

Fusiform: Outline of a parsnip, narrow at either end, broadest below the surface (Fig. 151, k).

From Project Gutenberg

Parsnip, Parsnep, prs′nip, n. an edible plant with a carrot-like root.

From Project Gutenberg