artichoke

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Akkadian 𒅈𒋢𒌒𒁍 (arsuppu)bor.? Middle Persian xār (hʾl) Middle Persian čōp (cwp) Middle Persian *xār-čōpbor.? Arabic خُرْشُوف (ḵuršūf) Andalusian Arabicbor. Old Spanish alcarchofabor. Occitan artichautbor.? Lombard articiochbor. English artichoke From Lombard articioch (cf. articiocco), from Occitan artichaut, from Old Spanish alcarchofa, from Andalusian Arabic الْخَرْشُوف (al-ḵaršúf), from Arabic الْخُرْشُوف (al-ḵuršūf), definite form of خُرْشُوف (ḵuršūf).

1. A plant related to the thistle with enlarged flower heads eaten as a vegetable while immature, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus.

   “At the greenmarket, it’s still mostly potatoes and apples. There are no tender greens, fava beans, peas, asparagus, artichokes, sorrel, rhubarb or early strawberries. Those harbingers of the season are said to be full of chi, or qi, the Chinese word for life force. We’re craving them as we’re craving lighter, brighter-tasting meals, food that is greener and fresher.”

2. A dull green colour, like that of an artichoke.