endive

noun

1
: an annual or biennial composite herb (Cichorium endivia) that is closely related to chicory and occurs in two common varieties:
a
: a variety (C. endivia crispa) having curly, usually dissected leaves : curly endive
b
: a variety (C. endivia latifolium) having broad flat leaves used especially cooked as a vegetable : escarole
2

Examples of endive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lafayette’s signature dishes were on offer, including endive salad, heirloom tomatoes, tabbouleh, lentils, and roast chicken. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2023 Half a squeeze bottle of balsamic vinegar appeared to form the thick brown stripes on a clump of radicchio, endive and mozzarella, a sad salad with some oranges tucked into it. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2023 A little gem lettuce and endive make a good bed for a profusion of farmers' market finds, including snap peas, radishes, and Persian cucumbers. Erin Cavoto, Country Living, 10 July 2023 For the freshest crop, harvest endive before the first hard frost of the season. 11 'Red Acre' Cabbage Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2023 Whisk together remaining ¼ cup olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt in a large bowl; add arugula and endive leaves, and toss to coat. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 22 July 2023 This rich, smoky spread is delicious spooned into endive leaves or served with crackers, baguette slices, and crudite. Adam Evans, Southern Living, 13 July 2023 Shake pan to loosen any endives that might stick to bottom of pan. Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 8 June 2023 The endive leaves stood tall like a colorful crown, bejeweled with pistachios, cara cara orange segments, dragonfruit, and little bits of pecorino. Elazar Sontag, Bon Appétit, 24 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'endive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin endivia, from Late Greek entybion, from Latin intubus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of endive was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near endive

Cite this Entry

“Endive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endive. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

endive

noun
en·​dive ˈen-ˌdīv How to pronounce endive (audio)
1
: an herb closely related to chicory and widely grown as a salad plant

called also escarole

2
: the developing shoot of chicory when it is made pale or white by growing in the dark for use in salads

More from Merriam-Webster on endive

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