ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alfalfa

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˌæɫˈfæɫfə// UK //ælfˈælfɐ// al·fal·fa

n. a tall plant with small green leaves that grows in many parts of the world. It is very important for feeding horses and cows because it is full of protein.

n. a perennial leguminous plant, Medicago sativa, widely cultivated as a forage crop for livestock.


SIMPLE

The farmer grows alfalfa to feed his cows.

CONTEXTUAL

Because of its high protein content, alfalfa is a staple in the diet of many large animals like horses and sheep.

COMPLEX

The rotation of alfalfa with other crops helps improve soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, making it a vital component of sustainable agricultural practices.

Synonyms
Origin

PIE word *h₁éḱwos Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *HéHḱus Proto-Indo-European *h₁éḱwos Proto-Indo-Iranian *Háćwas Proto-Iranian *Hácwah Proto-Iranian *Hástiš Proto-Iranian *HacwaHastiš Old Median *aspāstišder. Arabic فَصْفَص (faṣfaṣ)bor. Old Spanish alfalfez Spanish alfalfabor. English alfalfa From Spanish alfalfa, from Old Spanish alfalfez, from Arabic الْفَصْفَصَة (al-faṣfaṣa, “alfalfa, lucerne”).

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