Word Study
parsnip
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun parsnip has 3 senses
- parsnip(n = noun.plant) Array - the whitish root of cultivated parsnip; Array is a part of cultivated parsnip
- parsnip(n = noun.plant) pastinaca sativa - a strong-scented plant cultivated for its edible root; Array is a kind of herb, herbaceous plant
- parsnip(n = noun.food) Array - whitish edible root; eaten cooked; Array is a kind of root vegetable
is a kind of root
is a member of genus pastinaca, pastinaca
has particulars: cultivated parsnip, madnep, wild parsnip
is a part of cultivated parsnip
CIDE DICTIONARY
parsnip, n. [OE. parsnepe, from a French form, fr. L. pastinaca; cf. pastinare to dig up, pastinum a kind of dibble; cf. OF. pastenade, pastenaque.].
The aromatic and edible spindle-shaped root of the cultivated form of the Pastinaca sativa , a biennial umbelliferous plant which is very poisonous in its wild state; also, the plant itself. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
parsnip, n.
1 a biennial umbelliferous plant, Pastinaca sativa, with yellow flowers and a large pale-yellow tapering root.
2 this root eaten as a vegetable.
1 a biennial umbelliferous plant, Pastinaca sativa, with yellow flowers and a large pale-yellow tapering root.
2 this root eaten as a vegetable.
Etymology
ME pas(se)nep (with assim. to nep turnip) f. OF pasnaie f. L pastinaca
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