English Lexicon

Parsnip

/ˈpɑːr.snɪp/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #14500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A long, tapering, cream-colored root vegetable closely related to the carrot and parsley, with a sweet, earthy flavor.

    "Roasted parsnips make a delicious and sweet side dish for Sunday roast dinner."
  2. 2

    The biennial plant of the parsley family that produces the edible parsnip root, featuring umbels of small yellow flowers.

    "The wild parsnip can sometimes cause skin irritation if touched in bright sunlight."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from Middle English 'pasnepe', which was altered by folk etymology from Old French 'pasnaie' (from Latin 'pastinaca', meaning a carrot or parsnip, derived from 'pastinare', to dig or trench the ground). The final syllable '-nip' was mistakenly associated with 'turnip' in English during the 16th century, permanently altering the historical pronunciation and spelling.

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