- veg|e|ta|ble
- veg|e|ta|ble «VEHJ tuh buhl, VEHJ uh-», noun, adjective.–n.1. a plant whose fruit, seeds, shoots or stems, leaves, roots, or other parts are used for food. Peas, corn, lettuce, tomatoes, and beets are vegetables.2. the part of such a plant which is used for food.3. any plant; living organism belonging to the vegetable kingdom.4. Figurative. a person who lives a vegetative existence; dull, passive person: »
It describes particularly the mental deprivations intended to turn intelligent men into vegetables (Manchester Guardian Weekly).
–ad.1. of plants; having something to do with plants: »vegetable substances, vegetable life, the vegetable kingdom.
2. of or made from vegetables: »vegetable soup, a vegetable dinner.
4. living and growing in the manner of a plant or organism having the lowest form of life; vegetative.╂[< Middle French vegetable, learned borrowing from Late Latin vegetābilis vivifying, refreshing < Latin vegetāre enliven, arouse < vegetus vigorous]
Useful english dictionary. 2012.