late O.E. sparage, from M.L. sparagus, from L. asparagus, Gk. asparagos, probably from PIE base *sp(h)er(e)g- "to spring up" (though perhaps from a non-Gk. source). Respelled c.1600 to conform with Gk. Sparrowgrass is 17c. folk etymology, persisting into 19c., during which time asparagus had "an air of stiffness and pedantry" [John Walker, "Critical Pronouncing Dictionary," 1791].
Main Entry: as·par·a·gus Pronunciation: &-'spar-&-g&s Function: noun 1capitalized: a genus of Old Worldperennial herbs of the lily family (Liliaceae) having erect much-branched stems, minute scalelike leaves, and narrow filiform branchlets that function as leaves 2 a: any plant ofthe genus Asparagus; especially: a plant (A. officinalis) widely cultivated for its tender edible young shoots b: the root of cultivated asparagusformerly used as a diuretic
[uh-spar-uh-guh
s] 