artichoke

[ ahr-ti-chohk ]

noun

1. a tall, thistlelike composite plant, Cynara scolymus, native to the Mediterranean region, of which the numerous scalelike bracts and receptacle of the immature flower head are eaten as a vegetable.
2. the large, rounded, closed flower head itself.
3. Jerusalem artichoke.

artichoke

/ ˈɑːtɪˌtʃəʊk /

noun

1. Also calledglobe artichoke a thistle-like Eurasian plant, Cynara scolymus, cultivated for its large edible flower head containing many fleshy scalelike bracts: family Asteraceae (composites)
2. the unopened flower head of this plant, which can be cooked and eaten
3. See Jerusalem artichoke

Word History and Origins

Origin of artichoke¹

1525–35; < Upper Italian articiocco, variant (by dissimilation) of arciciocco, arcicioffo < *arcarcioffo < Old Spanish alcarchofa < dialectal Arabic al-kharshūf the artichoke

Word History and Origins

Origin of artichoke¹

C16: from Italian articiocco, from Old Spanish alcarchofa, from Arabic al-kharshūf

Example Sentences

And if everything else I know of him were not enough, Chef Warren Leruth invented the masterpiece that is Oyster Artichoke Soup, though he called it Potage LeRuth, and for me that is a crowning jewel of his most esteemed accomplishments.

From Salon

Oyster Artichoke Soup, or as it was known, Potage Leruth, was a menu staple at the restaurant and an absolute overnight sensation.

From Salon

It is not uncommon to puree this soup, but generally each bowl would then be garnished with a whole oyster or two and some chunkier bits of artichoke.

From Salon

Where to eat: Just a few minutes’ walk from the Hilton is the Green Dragon Tavern & Museum, an ode to a famous 18th-century New England tavern, where you can have New England baked cod but also more modern fare like vegetarian artichoke pizza.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a reason she and Michael Caine sold their shaky marriage for appearances believably enough to win Smith her second Oscar for 1978’s “California Suite,” in which she memorably replied to her queer husband’s assurance of discretion with, “Discreet? You did everything but lick his artichoke!”

From Salon