ASPARAGUS

asparagus. Asparagus, n. a grass, speerage or sparrow grass

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As‐par″a‐gus (ăs‐păr″ȧ‐gŭs), n. [[L., fr. Gr. ασπἄραγοσ, ασφἄραγοσ; cf. σπαργα̑ν to swell with sap or juice, and Zend çparegha prong, sprout, Pers. asparag, Lith. spurgas sprout, Skr. sphurj to swell. Perh. the Greek borrowed from the Persian. Cf. Sparrowgrass.]] 1. 1. (Bot.) A genus of perennial plants belonging to the natural order Liliaceæ, and having erect much branched stems, and very slender branchlets which are sometimes mistaken for leaves. Asparagus racemosus is a shrubby climbing plant with fragrant flowers. Specifically: The Asparagus officinalis, a species cultivated in gardens.
2. 2. The young and tender shoots of A. officinalis, which form a valuable and well-known article of food.
☞ This word was formerly pronounced sparrowgrass; but this pronunciation is now confined exclusively to uneducated people. Asparagus beetle (Zoöl.), a small beetle (Crioceris asparagi) injurious to asparagus.