ENGLISH
REFERENCE

broccoli

n. uncountable
A2 Elementary US //ˈbɹɑkəɫi// UK //bɹˈɒkəlˌi// broc·coli Slang

n. a green vegetable with thick stalks and small flower heads that look like tiny trees.

n. an edible cruciferous vegetable consisting of a thick stalk and clusters of unopened flower buds.


SIMPLE

I like broccoli with my dinner.

CONTEXTUAL

She steamed the broccoli until it was bright green and tender.

COMPLEX

The chef arranged the roasted broccoli on the plate to create a vibrant contrast against the white sauce.

Origin

1699, Italian broccoli, plural of broccolo (“cabbage sprout, head”), diminutive of brocco (“shoot, sprout”) (which is also the origin of brocade), from Latin broccus (“pointed, sharp, projecting; buck-toothed”), possibly of Gaulish origin, related to Proto-Celtic brokkos (“badger”) or Proto-Celtic brozdos (“tip, point”) (compare Scottish Gaelic brog (“pointed instrument, awl”), Welsh procio (“thrust, poke”), Old English brord (“point, spike”)). More at brochure, brad.

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