Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A plant (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) in the mustard family, having a large whitish head of undeveloped flowers.
  • noun The flower head of this plant, eaten as a vegetable.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A cloud (especially a volcanic cloud) having the form of a cauliflower.
  • noun A garden variety of Brassica oleracea, or cabbage, the inflorescence of which is condensed while young into a depressed fleshy head, which is highly esteemed as a vegetable.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Bot.) An annual variety of Brassica oleracea, or cabbage, of which the cluster of young flower stalks and buds is eaten as a vegetable.
  • noun The edible head or “curd” of a cauliflower plant.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An annual variety of Brassica oleracea, or cabbage, of which the cluster of young flower stalks and buds is eaten as a vegetable.
  • noun The edible head or “curd” of a cauliflower plant.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a plant having a large edible head of crowded white flower buds
  • noun compact head of white undeveloped flowers

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Probably alteration (influenced by flower) of New Latin cauliflōra : Latin caulis, stem + Latin flōs, flōr-, flower; see flower.]

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Examples

  • It's also where I learned the expression "cauliflower ears," which refers to the appearance of one's ears, my teacher's in particular, after they've been pummeled for several decades in succession.

    Boxing in Theme Only Ralph Gardner Jr. 2011

  • In fact, we like this best at room temperature, which has an added benefit: if you wait until the cauliflower is cool to sprinkle the bread crumbs on top, they'll stay good and crisp!

    Food52's Best Cauliflower Recipes Colin Sterling 2010

  • When the cauliflower is tender-crisp, turn off the heat and add the remaining cilantro and the yogurt, and toss.

    Archive 2009-05-01 Laura 2009

  • When the cauliflower is tender-crisp, turn off the heat and add the remaining cilantro and the yogurt, and toss.

    Gobhi Hari Matar Sabji (Sauteed Cauliflower & Green Peas) Laura 2009

  • In fact, we like this best at room temperature, which has an added benefit: if you wait until the cauliflower is cool to sprinkle the bread crumbs on top, they'll stay good and crisp!

    Food52's Best Cauliflower Recipes Colin Sterling 2010

  • Stir in the chopped cauliflower, rosemary, and Aleppo pepper, and cook over medium heat for 15 - 20 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and starts to caramelize.

    PESD with Recipe for Pasta with Spicy Cauliflower Sauce Laurie Constantino 2008

  • Make the Spiced Breadcrumbs: While the cauliflower is cooking, puree together the garlic, Aleppo pepper, and anchovies (if using).

    PESD with Recipe for Pasta with Spicy Cauliflower Sauce Laurie Constantino 2008

  • When the cauliflower is done, sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. dukkah and stir to evenly distribute.

    Archive 2008-02-01 Laurie Constantino 2008

  • Stir in the chopped cauliflower, rosemary, and Aleppo pepper, and cook over medium heat for 15 - 20 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and starts to caramelize.

    Archive 2008-10-01 Laurie Constantino 2008

  • Make the Spiced Breadcrumbs: While the cauliflower is cooking, puree together the garlic, Aleppo pepper, and anchovies (if using).

    Archive 2008-10-01 Laurie Constantino 2008

Comments

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  • See this map for American pronunciation.

    April 10, 2008

  • Interesting site, ptero!

    April 11, 2008

  • “I was leaping off the rope, and Yukon Eric, who had a cauliflower ear, moved at the last second,�? Kowalski told The Chicago Tribune in 1989. “I thought I missed, but all of a sudden, something went rolling across the ring. It was his ear.�?

    The New York Times, Killer Kowalski, Wrestler, Dies at 81, by Richard Goldstein, August 31, 2008

    September 1, 2008

  • Art thou mad, said Friar John, to run on at this rate? Help, here, in the name of five hundred thousand millions of cartloads of devils, help! may a shanker gnaw thy moustachios, and the three rows of pock-royals and cauliflowers cover thy bum and turd-barrel instead of breeches and codpiece. Codsooks, our ship is almost overset.

    - Rabelais, Gargantua and Pantagruel, bk 4, ch. XXI, tr. Le Motteux

    November 1, 2008

  • HA HA HA!!!

    November 1, 2008

  • "Cauliflower is nothing but a cabbage with a college education."

    Mark Twain

    November 2, 2008