eggplant
eggplant Lexical Profile
• noun
American The large, egg-shaped or elongated fleshy fruit of the eggplant, typically having glossy, dark purple skin and spongy white flesh, commonly cooked and eaten as a culinary vegetable.
"She sliced the eggplant into thick rounds and roasted them with olive oil and garlic."
A bushy perennial plant (Solanum melongena) of the nightshade family, native to tropical Asia, cultivated widely across the globe for its edible fruit.
"The farmer planted several rows of eggplant in the greenhouse to protect them from the late spring frost."
A dark brownish-purple color resembling the skin of a typical mature eggplant.
"They chose an elegant eggplant shade for the dining room walls to create a warm, inviting atmosphere."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British English, this vegetable is referred to as an 'aubergine', while in South Asian contexts it is commonly called 'brinjal'.
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-18th century from 'egg' + 'plant', because the fruits of early European cultivars were small, round, and white or yellow, closely resembling goose or hen's eggs.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.