asparagus
UK[əˈspærəɡəs]US[əˈsperəɡəs]
n
a tall plant with long, thin, green stems that are eaten as a vegetable.
Etymology
the word 'asparagus' entered english in the 15th century via latin, which borrowed it from the greek 'asparagos'. the greek term itself may have originated from a persian source, 'asparag', meaning 'sprout' or 'shoot'. the latin form was later altered in english folk etymology to 'sparrow-grass', a name which persisted for centuries, before the scholarly latin form was re-established. the core meaning has consistently referred to the edible young shoots of the plant.
Analysis
this word is a direct loanword from latin and is not productively segmented using english morphemes. it functions as a simplex noun.
Examples
steamed asparagus with a squeeze of lemon makes a healthy side dish.
the first tender spears of asparagus are a welcome sign of spring.
she wrapped the asparagus in prosciutto before baking it.