kohlrabi
UK[kəʊlˈrɑːbi]US[koʊlˈrɑːbi]
n
a variety of cabbage with a swollen, edible stem that resembles a turnip.
Morpheme Breakdown
kohl
rabi
kohl
cabbage
rabi
turnip
Etymology
the word 'kohlrabi' is a modern german compound that entered english in the 19th century. it directly combines the german words for 'cabbage' ('kohl') and 'turnip' ('rabi'), providing a perfectly literal description of the vegetable's appearance—a cabbage that forms a bulbous, turnip-like stem. both german components trace back to latin: 'caulis' (stem) and 'rapa' (turnip). this hybrid name elegantly captures the plant's botanical hybrid nature, being a cultivar of the same species as cabbage and kale but selected for its enlarged, succulent stem.
Analysis
Structure: kohl (cabbage) + rabi (turnip)
kohl: from german 'kohl', meaning 'cabbage', ultimately from latin 'caulis' (stem, stalk).
rabi: from german 'rabi' (dialectal variant of 'rübe'), meaning 'turnip', from latin 'rapa'.
Examples
the kohlrabi in our garden grew surprisingly large this year.
she made a delicious slaw using thinly sliced kohlrabi and carrots.
for a simple side dish, try roasting kohlrabi with olive oil and herbs.