asparagus

American  

[uh-spar-uh-guhs] / əˈspær ə gəs /

noun

1. any plant of the genus Asparagus, of the lily family, especially A. officianalis, cultivated for its edible shoots.

2. the shoots, eaten as a vegetable.

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asparagus British  

/ əˈspærəɡəs /

noun

1. any Eurasian liliaceous plant of the genus Asparagus, esp the widely cultivated A. officinalis, having small scaly or needle-like leaves

2. the succulent young shoots of A. officinalis, which may be cooked and eaten

3. a fernlike species of asparagus, A. plumosus, native to southern Africa

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Other Word Forms

• asparaginous adjective

Etymology

Origin of asparagus

before 1000; < Latin < Greek asp ( h ) áragos; replacing Old English sparagi (< Medieval Latin ) and later sperage, sparrowgrass

Example Sentences

She uses a medley of green vegetables with different textures, including broccolini, asparagus and peas in a pod.

From Salon

But crops such as peaches and asparagus require delicate handling.

From The Wall Street Journal

This morning, I had five egg whites and then some baked vegetables like broccoli and asparagus and zucchini.

From The Wall Street Journal

The acres have filled with houses or have turned to pricier crops, asparagus and strawberries, or profitable ornamentals to adorn all those houses built on the bean fields.

From Los Angeles Times

Corkscrew pasta with spring vegetables — peas, maybe some asparagus, curls of lemon zest — topped with herbed breadcrumbs and a horseradish cream sauce.

From Salon