Adjacent Words

Garlic definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

G`ARLIC, n. A plant of the genus Allium, having a bulbous root, a very strong smell, and an acrid, pungent taste. Each root is composed of several lesser bulbs, called cloves of garlic, inclosed in a common membranous coat and easily separable.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: bulbous herb of southern Europe widely naturalized; bulb breaks up into separate strong-flavored cloves [syn: garlic, Allium sativum]
2: aromatic bulb used as seasoning [syn: garlic, ail]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English garlek, from Old English g?rl?ac, from g?r spear + l?ac leek — more at gore Date: before 12th century 1. a European allium (Allium sativum) widely cultivated for its pungent compound bulbs much used in cookery; broadly allium 2. a bulb of garlic • garlicky adjective

Britannica Concise

Bulbous perennial plant (Allium sativum) of the lily family, native to central Asia and growing wild in Italy and S France. The bulbs are used as a flavoring. A classic ingredient in many national cuisines, garlic has a powerful, onionlike aroma and pungent taste; its wide use in the U.S. originated among European immigrant groups. Since ancient and medieval times it has been prized for its medicinal properties; it was formerly carried as a charm against vampires and other evils. Garlic bulbs are used sliced or ground to flavor sauces, stews, and salad dressings. The membranous skin of the garlic bulb encloses up to 20 edible bulblets called cloves. See also allium.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 any of various alliaceous plants, esp. Allium sativum. 2 the strong-smelling pungent-tasting bulb of this plant, used as a flavouring in cookery. Derivatives: garlicky adj. Etymology: OE garleac f. gar spear + leac LEEK

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Garlic Gar"lic, n. [OE. garlek, AS. g[=a]rle['a]c; gar spear, lance + le['a]c leek. See Gar, n., and Leek.] 1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Allium (A. sativum is the cultivated variety), having a bulbous root, a very strong smell, and an acrid, pungent taste. Each root is composed of several lesser bulbs, called cloves of garlic, inclosed in a common membranous coat, and easily separable. 2. A kind of jig or farce. [Obs.] --Taylor (1630). Garlic mustard, a European plant of the Mustard family (Alliaria officinalis) which has a strong smell of garlic. Garlic pear tree, a tree in Jamaica (Crat[ae]va gynandra), bearing a fruit which has a strong scent of garlic, and a burning taste.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Garlic is the small, white, round bulb of a plant that is related to the onion plant. Garlic has a very strong smell and taste and is used in cooking. ...a clove of garlic.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Heb. shum, from its strong odour), mentioned only once (Num. 11:5). The garlic common in Eastern countries is the Allium sativum or Allium Ascalonicum, so called from its having been brought into Europe from Ascalon by the Crusaders. It is now known by the name of "shallot" or "eschalot."

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

gar'-lik (shum, used only in plural shumim; compare Arabic thum):

One of the delights of Egypt for which the Israelites in the Wilderness longed (Nu 11:5); we know from other sources that, though originally a product of Central Asia, garlic was known to the ancient Egyptians. It is the bulb of Allium sativum, Natural Order Liliaceae, and is cultivated all over the Orient. It is eaten cooked in stews; its disagreeable penetrating odor is in evidence in the houses and on the breath of most Orientals. A bulb of garlic, hung over a bed or over the door of a house, is a powerful charm against the evil eye and other malign influences.

E. W. G. Masterman

Foolish Dictionary

From Grk. gar, for, and Lat. liceor, to bid. Good for the biddies.