sparrowgrass

Sparrowgrass \Spar"row*grass`\, n. [Corrupted from asparagus.]
   Asparagus. [Colloq.] See the Note under {Asparagus}.
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Asparagus \As*par"a*gus\ ([a^]s*p[a^]r"[.a]*g[u^]s), n. [L., fr.
   Gr. 'aspa`ragos, 'asfa`ragos; cf. sparga^n to swell with sap
   or juice, and Zend [,c]paregha prong, sprout, Pers. asparag,
   Lith. spurgas sprout, Skr. sphurj to swell. Perh. the Greek
   borrowed from the Persian. Cf. {Sparrowgrass}.]
   1. (Bot.) A genus of perennial plants belonging to the
      natural order {Liliace[ae]}, and having erect much
      branched stems, and very slender branchlets which are
      sometimes mistaken for leaves. {Asparagus racemosus} is a
      shrubby climbing plant with fragrant flowers.
      Specifically: The {Asparagus officinalis}, a species
      cultivated in gardens.
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   2. The young and tender shoots of {Asparagus officinalis},
      which form a valuable and well-known article of food.
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   Note: This word was formerly pronounced {sparrowgrass}; but
         this pronunciation is now confined exclusively to
         uneducated people.
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   {Asparagus beetle} (Zool.), a small beetle ({Crioceris
      asparagi}) injurious to asparagus.
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