chicory Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the dried root of the chicory plant: used as a coffee substitute
    chicory root.
  2. noun perennial Old World herb having rayed flower heads with blue florets cultivated for its root and its heads of crisp edible leaves used in salads
    succory; chicory plant; Cichorium intybus.
  3. noun root of the chicory plant roasted and ground to substitute for or adulterate coffee
    chicory root.
  4. noun crisp spiky leaves with somewhat bitter taste
    curly endive.

WordNet

Chi"co*ry noun
Definitions
  1. See Chicory.
Chic"o*ry noun
Etymology
F. chicorée, earlier also cichorée, L. cichorium, fr. Gr. , , Cf. Succory.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A branching perennial plant (Cichorium Intybus) with bright blue flowers, growing wild in Europe, Asia, and America; also cultivated for its roots and as a salad plant; succory; wild endive. See Endive.
  2. The root, which is roasted for mixing with coffe.

Webster 1913