Asparagus is a vegetable that is long and green and has small shoots at one end. It is cooked and served whole.
asparagus in British English
(əˈspærəɡəs)
noun
1.
any Eurasian liliaceous plant of the genus Asparagus, esp the widely cultivated A. officinalis, having small scaly or needle-like leaves
2.
the succulent young shoots of A. officinalis, which may be cooked and eaten
3. asparagus fern
Word origin
C15: from Latin, from Greek asparagos, of obscure origin
asparagus in American English
(əˈspærəgəs; əˈspɛrəgəs)
noun
1.
any of a genus (Asparagus) of plants of the lily family, with small, scalelike leaves, many flat or needlelike branches, and whitish flowers, including several plants (asparagus ferns) having fleshy roots and fine fernlike leaves
2.
the tender shoots of one of these plants (A. officinalis), used as a vegetable
Word origin
ModL < L < Gr asparagos < IE base *sp(h)er(e)g-, to spring up, sprout > spring, spark1