let·tuce

[let-is]
noun
1.
a cultivated plant, Lactuca sativa, occurring in many varieties and having succulent leaves used for salads.
2.
any species of Lactuca.
3.
Slang. U.S. dollar bills; greenbacks.

Origin:
1250–1300; 1925–30 for def 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 rocket2 (or by association with Greek galaktoûchos having milk)

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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00:10
Lettuce is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Collins
World English Dictionary
lettuce (ˈlɛtɪs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  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)
2.  the leaves of any of these varieties, which are eaten in salads
3.  any of various plants that resemble true lettuce, such as lamb's lettuce and sea lettuce
 
[C13: probably from Old French laitues, pl of laitue, from Latin lactūca, from lac- milk, because of its milky juice]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

lettuce
late 13c., from O.Fr. laitues, pl. of laitue, from L. lactuca "lettuce," from lac (gen. lactis) "milk" (see lactation); so called in allusion to the milky juice of the plant.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary

lettuce definition


  1. n.
    money. : How much lettuce do you have left?
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Example sentences
Much of the pleasure of eating this wrap comes from the crunchy textures of the
  lettuce and the shredded vegetables.
In a large bowl, toss the lettuce with the dressing and the croutons.
Enter cabbage salad, a crisp and flavorful alternative to tasteless winter
  lettuce.
Season with salt and pepper and stir in all of the the remaining ingredients
  except the shrimp and lettuce.
Images for lettuce
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