spinach
UK: ˈspɪnɪtʃ | US: ˈspɪnɪtʃ
n. A leafy green vegetable with dark green, tender leaves, often used in salads or cooked dishes.
The word "spinach" traces back to Old French espinache, derived from Medieval Latin spinacia, which likely originated from Arabic isfānākh. The Arabic term itself may have roots in Persian aspanākh. The "spin" morpheme reflects the plant's thorny seeds, though modern spinach varieties are smooth-leaved. The suffix "-ach" is unclear in meaning but was preserved through linguistic borrowing. The word entered English in the late Middle Ages as European cuisine adopted the vegetable.
She added fresh spinach to her morning smoothie for extra nutrients.
The salad was topped with baby spinach, strawberries, and almonds.
Spinach grows best in cool weather and well-drained soil.
He prefers cooked spinach with a drizzle of olive oil and garlic.
Popeye famously gained strength from eating canned spinach.