artichoke
UK: ˈɑːtɪtʃəʊk | US: ˈɑːrtɪtʃoʊk
n. A thistle-like plant (Cynara scolymus) cultivated for its edible flower head.
n. The unopened flower head of this plant, cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
The word "artichoke" has a convoluted history. It originates from the Arabic al-kharshūf (الخرشوف), which passed into Spanish as alcarchofa and Italian as articiocco. The English form was influenced by folk etymology, mistakenly associating it with "artichoke" (a compound of "arti-" and "choke"). The "choke" part may reflect the inedible fibrous center of the vegetable, which can "choke" if swallowed. The true root lies in Mediterranean languages, but the English spelling and morphemes were reshaped by imaginative reinterpretation.
She prepared a delicious dip with artichoke hearts and spinach.
The artichoke is native to the Mediterranean region.
He struggled to remove the fuzzy choke from the artichoke.
Grilled artichokes with lemon butter are a popular appetizer.
The farmer harvested a fresh batch of artichokes for the market.