artichoke

ar·ti·choke

noun \ˈär-tə-ˌchōk\

Definition of ARTICHOKE

1

: a tall Mediterranean composite herb (Cynara scolymus) resembling a thistle with coarse pinnately incised leaves; also : its edible immature flower head which is cooked as a vegetable

2

: jerusalem artichoke

Origin of ARTICHOKE

Italian dialect articiocco, ultimately from Arabic al-khurshūf the artichoke

First Known Use: 1530

Rhymes with ARTICHOKE

at a stroke, Bolingbroke, chestnut oak, equivoque, fisherfolk, gentlefolk, go for broke, herrenvolk, hub-and-spoke, masterstroke, ministroke, monocoque, mourning cloak, okeydoke, poison oak, Roanoke, thunderstroke, turkey oak, water oak, womenfolk

artichoke

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Large, coarse, herbaceous, thistlelike perennial plant (Cynara scolymus) of the family Asteraceae. The thick, edible scales and bottom part (heart) of the immature flower heads are a culinary delicacy. The artichoke is native to the Mediterranean and is cultivated extensively in other regions with rich soil and a mild, humid climate. The Jerusalem artichoke is a tuber and does not resemble the artichoke.