turnip

plural turnips · alternative obsolete turnep

1. The white root of a yellow-flowered plant, Brassica rapa, grown as a vegetable and as fodder for cattle.

   In general, beets, carrots, and turnips are all of aphrodisiac value in erotic dietary.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 42

   2 more examples

   The ancient Roman gastronomists considered the turnip, when prepared in the following manner, a dish fit for epicures: "After boiling, extract the water from them, and season with cummin, rue, or benzoin, pounded in a mortar; afterward add honey, vinegar, gravy, and boiled grapes. Allow the whole to simmer, and serve."

   1892, Ella Eaton Kellogg, “Vegetables”, in Science in the Kitchen: A Scientific Treatise on Food Substances and Their Dietetic Properties, Together with a Practical Explanation of the Principles of Healthful Cookery, and a Large Number of Original, Palatable, and Wholesome Recipes, Revised edition, Michigan: Health Publishing Company, page 240

   The turnip is one of the lordliest vegetables in the world; its broth is practically a soup in itself.

   1969, Robert Farrar Capon, “Living Water”, in The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection

   Synonyms: summer turnip, white turnip

2. Atlantic CanadaCornwallIrelandNorthern EnglandScotlandManitobaThe yellow root of a related plant, the swede or Brassica napus.

   Synonyms: rutabaga, swede, tumshie

3. Hong KongThe white root of Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus, also known as a daikon.

   Synonyms: daikon

4. MalaysiaSingaporebroadlyThe root of the yam bean, Pachyrhizus erosus; jicama.
5. abbreviationclippingdatedClipping of turnip watch
6. slangA fool or simpleton.

   "Dost thou not believe, thou twittering turnip?"

   1971, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 33

   1 more example

   You absolute turnip, you. Hannah replaced the clipboard in her lap and pretended to write Very Serious notes. Thank God it was dark in the rear of the studio. No one could see the tomato-colored tidal wave surging up her neck.

   2022, Tessa Bailey, Hook, Line, and Sinker

present singular third person turnips · participle present turniping · participle present turnipping · participle past turniped · past turniped · participle past turnipped · past turnipped · alternative obsolete turnep

1. transitiveTo plant with turnips.

   This identical field has been turniped before, and to good account, in a favourable winter.

   1803, Agricultural Magazine, volume 9, page 32

2. transitiveTo feed or graze (livestock) on turnips.

   This system of turniping is found to encourage the growth and muscular development of young stock.

   1898, John Wrightson, Sheep: Breeds and Management, page 86

   1 more example

   The Leicesters and half-breds are purchased by farmers who keep no breeding stock: they are well turniped during the winter, and clipped and fattened in the following season.

   1869, Sheep: Their Breeds, Management, and Diseases, page 328