English Explanatory Dictionary

parsnip

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A biennial plant, Pastinaca sativa, related to the carrot.
  2. The root of the parsnip, when used as a vegetable.
noun
  1. Acronym of politics, alcohol, religion, sex, narcotics, isms, pork (“a set of topics that may be controversial in a classroom setting”).

Pronunciation

/ˈpɑɹ.snɪp/ /ˈpɑː.snɪp/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-parsnip.wav

Word forms

parsnip parsnips

Etymology

From 16th-century parsnepe, from Middle English passenep, a modification of Old French pasnaie by influence of Middle English nepe (“turnip”), from Latin pastināca (“parsnip, carrot”), from pastinum (“two-pronged fork”) as in pastināre (“to dig up the ground”).

Derived words

cow parsnip cultivated parsnip fine words butter no parsnips giant cow parsnip giant parsnip golden meadow parsnip meadow parsnip parsnip chervil parsniplike parsnip moth parsnippy parsnip swallowtail parsnip webworm parsnipy pig's parsnip poison parsnip rough parsnip) sea parsnip Victorian parsnip water parsnip wild parsnip
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