cruciferous

[ kroo-sif-er-uhs ]

adjective

1. bearing a cross.
2. Botany. belonging to the family Cruciferae (or Brassicaceae), the mustard family of plants; brassicaceous:

   Are you getting enough broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables in your diet?

cruciferous

/ kruːˈsɪfərəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the plant family Cruciferae See crucifer

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruciferous¹

From Late Latin crucifer + -ous; cruciferous def 1 was first recorded in 1650–60; cruciferous def 2 in 1850–55; crucifer, -ous

Example Sentences

For some, the cruciferous vegetable has a certain old-world appeal, buoyed by economic practicality and nostalgia.

From Salon

"Simple, ignoble, under-appreciated green cabbage: It has got to be one of the most unpretentious and humblest in all of the Cruciferae family, if not among the entire vegetable kingdom. It is nutrient-packed, like the rest of its cruciferous brethren, yet it has not always garnered the same respect as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts or even broccoli."

From Salon

Perhaps all of the restaurants selling cabbage dishes like hot cakes or Danny’s special dish on this week’s “Top Chef” episode might be the harbinger of a new era for the cruciferous standby.

From Salon

It is nutrient-packed, like the rest of its cruciferous brethren, yet it has not always garnered the same respect as cauliflower, Brussels spouts or even broccoli.

From Salon

Root vegetables — like carrots, onions, potatoes and beets — winter squashes, cruciferous vegetables and greens are just a few notable cold-weather favorites.

From Salon