alfalfa
UK: ælˈfælfə | US: ælˈfælfə
n. A perennial flowering plant of the pea family, widely cultivated as forage for livestock.
n. The high-protein leaves and stems of this plant, used as animal feed.
The word "alfalfa" entered English via Spanish, borrowed from Arabic "al-faṣfaṣa" (الفصفصة), meaning "the clover." The Arabic term likely originated from Persian or another Middle Eastern language. Despite its layered history, the word is treated as a single unit in modern English without clear morpheme boundaries. Its journey reflects agricultural exchange across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures.
Farmers grow alfalfa to feed dairy cows.
The alfalfa field bloomed with purple flowers.
Alfalfa sprouts are popular in salads.
This region’s soil is ideal for alfalfa cultivation.
The horse eagerly ate the fresh alfalfa hay.