WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : As*par"a*gus
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L., fr. Gr. prong, sprout, Pers. asparag, Lith. spurgas sprout, Skr. sphurj to swell. Perh. the Greek borrowed from the Persian. Cf. Sparrowgrass.]
Definition : 1. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of perennial plants belonging to the natural order Liliace?, and having erect much branched stems, and very slender branchlets which are sometimes mistaken for leaves. Asparagus racemosus is a shrubby climbing plant with fragrant flowers. Specifically: The Asparagus officinalis, a species cultivated in gardens.

2. The young and tender shoots of A. officinalis, which form a valuable and well-known article of food.

Note: This word was formerly pronounced sparrowgrass; but this pronunciation is now confined exclusively to uneducated people. Asparagus beetle (Zo?l.), a small beetle (Crioceris asparagi) injurious to asparagus.


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913