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chive

 - 3 dictionary results

chive

[chahyv]
–noun
a small bulbous plant, Allium schoenoprasum, related to the leek and onion, having long, slender leaves that are used as a seasoning.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME cive < AF chive, OF cive ≪ L caepa onion
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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chive   (chīv)   
n.  
  1. A Eurasian bulbous herb (Allium schoenoprasum) in the lily family, having clusters of usually pink to rose-violet flowers and cultivated for its long, slender, hollow leaves. Often used in the plural.

  2. chives The leaves of this plant used as a seasoning.


[Middle English chive, from Anglo-Norman, from Latin cēpa, onion.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

chive 
c.1400, from O.Fr. cive, from L. cepa "onion" (see onion).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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