parsnip

American  

[pahr-snip] / ˈpɑr snɪp /

noun

1. a plant, Pastinaca sativa, cultivated varieties of which have a large, whitish, edible root.

2. the root of this plant.

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parsnip British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of parsnip

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

Example Sentences

I started to ask the question aloud but then watching the other girls spread out their bedclothes, underneath bundles of hanging parsnips and ropes of garlic, was answer enough.

From Literature

"He seems to like going into the trap and getting all the parsnips," said lead ranger Helen McDonald.

From BBC

They demolished plates of dried beef, hoecakes, pickled eggs, roast venison and fried parsnips.

From The Wall Street Journal

One person close to the situation told the BBC: "We were sending parsnips, which we could get, to fill the shelf space of steak, which we couldn't."

From BBC

However, the humble but golden potato and parsnip have gone down in price, along with - if you have any room - Christmas pudding and mince pies.

From BBC