endive

[ en-dahyv, ahn-deev; French ahn-deev ]

noun

, plural en·dives [en, -dahyvz, ahn, -deevz, ah, n, -, deev].

1. a composite plant, Cichorium endivia, having a rosette of often curly-edged leaves used in salads. Compare escarole.
2. Also called Belgian endive, a young chicory plant, deprived of light to form a narrow head of whitish leaves that are eaten as a cooked vegetable or used raw in salads.
3. Furniture. an ornamental motif having the form of an arrangement of acanthus or endive leaves.

endive

/ ˈɛndaɪv /

noun

1. a plant, Cichorium endivia, cultivated for its crisp curly leaves, which are used in salads: family Asteraceae (composites) Compare chicory

Word History and Origins

Origin of endive¹

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French ≪ Medieval Greek entýbia, plural of entýbion, derivative of earlier éntybon < Latin intubum, intibum, earlier intubus chicory, endive, perhaps < Semitic

Word History and Origins

Origin of endive¹

C15: from Old French, from Medieval Latin endīvia, variant of Latin intubus, entubus, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Any combination of bitter greens, such as frisée, endive, radicchio, escarole or arugula, works well in this recipe.

From Washington Times

Beets, spinach, and endive died where they grew, with telltale dried-up, silver-metallic leaves.

From Los Angeles Times

Runners spun through dining rooms, their forearms inked and weighed down with plates of spatchcocked Cornish game hen and endive Caesar salad dusted with breadcrumbs.

From Los Angeles Times

Scoops of the creamy, crunchy bistro staple, elevated with smoked trout in the julienne mix, showed up in a trio of chive-flecked Belgian endive “boats,” a clever mode of transport.

From Washington Post

Don't forget to serve with an assortment of breads, crackers, endive or lettuce cups and other "scoops" that allow for slightly less-messy eating of the ooey, gooey cheese and its accouterments.

From Salon