alfalfa
UK[ælˈfælfə]US[ælˈfælfə]
n
a plant with small divided leaves and purple flowers, grown as food for farm animals
Etymology
the word 'alfalfa' entered english in the mid-19th century from spanish, where it was 'alfalfa'. the spanish term was borrowed from the arabic 'al-faṣfaṣa', which literally means 'the best fodder'. this arabic term itself is believed to be of persian origin. the journey of this word, from persian cultivation knowledge through arabic and spanish agricultural terminology, reflects the historical transfer of both the crop and its name into europe and the americas, where it became a major forage plant.
Analysis
this word is a loanword adopted as a whole unit into english. its components are not productively analyzed within the english morphological system.
Examples
the farmer planted several acres with alfalfa to feed his cattle.
alfalfa sprouts are often used in salads and sandwiches for their nutritional value.
the field was a sea of purple when the alfalfa was in bloom.