View synonyms for lettuce

lettuce

[ let-is ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a cultivated plant, Lactuca sativa, occurring in many varieties and having succulent leaves used for salads.
any species of Lactuca.
Slang. U.S. dollar bills; greenbacks.

lettuce

/ ˈlɛtɪs /

noun

any of various plants of the genus Lactuca, esp L. sativa, which is cultivated in many varieties for its large edible leaves: family Asteraceae (composites)
the leaves of any of these varieties, which are eaten in salads
any of various plants that resemble true lettuce, such as lamb's lettuce and sea lettuce

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lettuce¹

1250–1300; 1925–30 lettuce fordef 3; Middle English letuse, apparently < Old French laitues, plural of laitue < Latin lactūca a lettuce, perhaps derivative of lac, stem lact- milk, with termination as in erūca rocket ² (or by association with Greek galaktoûchos having milk)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lettuce¹

C13: probably from Old French laitues, pl of laitue, from Latin lactūca, from lac- milk, because of its milky juice

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