parsnip

pars·nip

noun \ˈpär-snəp\

: a vegetable that is the long white root of a plant related to the carrot

Full Definition of PARSNIP

:  a Eurasian biennial herb (Pastinaca sativa) of the carrot family with large pinnate leaves and yellow flowers that is cultivated for its long tapered edible root which is cooked as a vegetable; also :  the root

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Illustration of PARSNIP

Origin of PARSNIP

Middle English passenep, modification of Old French pasnaie, from Latin pastinaca, from pastinum 2-pronged dibble

First Known Use: 14th century

Parsnip

geographical name

Definition of PARSNIP

— see finlay

parsnip

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa).—G.R. Roberts

Plant (Pastinaca sativa) of the parsley family, cultivated for its large, tapering, fleshy, edible white root, which has a distinctive, sweet flavour and is usually served as a cooked vegetable. At the end of summer the solids of the root consist largely of starch, but a period of low temperature changes much of the starch to sugar. The root is hardy and not damaged by hard freezing of the soil. Native to Britain, Europe, and temperate Asia, the parsnip has become extensively naturalized in North America.