Main Entry:

let·tuce

Pronunciation:

\ˈle-təs\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English letuse, from Anglo-French letuse, probably from plural of letue lettuce plant, from Latin lactuca, from lact-, lac milk; from its milky juice — more at galaxy

Date:

14th century

: any of a genus (Lactuca) of composite plants ; especially : a common garden vegetable (L. sativa) whose succulent leaves are used especially in salads