cauliflower

cau·li·flow·er

noun, often attributive \ˈkȯ-li-ˌflau̇(-ə)r, ˈkä-, -lē-\

Definition of CAULIFLOWER

: a garden plant (Brassica oleracea botrytis) related to the cabbage and grown for its compact edible head of usually white undeveloped flowers; also : its flower cluster used as a vegetable

Origin of CAULIFLOWER

Italian cavolfiore, from cavolo cabbage (from Late Latin caulus, from Latin caulis stem, cabbage) + fiore flower, from Latin flor-, flos — more at cole, blow

First Known Use: 1597

Rhymes with CAULIFLOWER

coffee hour, cooling tower, credit hour, flower power, golden shower, happy hour, ivory tower, motive power, police power, quarter hour, staying power, trumpet flower, virgin's bower, water tower, zero hour

cauliflower

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea, Botrytis group).—Derek Fell

Form of cabbage (Brassica oleracea, Botrytis group) in the mustard family, consisting of a compact terminal mass of greatly thickened, modified, and partially developed flower structures, together with their embracing fleshy stalks. This terminal cluster forms a firm, white, succulent “curd” that is served as a cooked vegetable and is highly nutritious. The separated flower structures are also eaten raw.