rucola
rucola Lexical Profile
rucola Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The edible, deeply lobed, peppery-flavored leaves of a Mediterranean salad herb (Eruca vesicaria) in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), widely eaten raw in salads or as a topping for pizzas and pasta.
"The chef topped the freshly baked pizza with thin slices of prosciutto, shaved Parmesan, and a handful of fresh rucola."
A fast-growing annual herbaceous plant (Eruca vesicaria) of the family Brassicaceae, native to the Mediterranean region and cultivated globally for its pungent, edible foliage.
"We planted several rows of rucola in the shaded corner of the kitchen garden so the leaves would not bolt in the summer heat."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'arugula' is the standard term in North American English and 'rocket' is standard in British and Commonwealth English, 'rucola' (borrowed directly from standard Italian) is often used on European and upscale international menus.
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Italian rucola, which derives from a diminutive of Latin eruca, meaning 'colewort' or 'cabbage'.