Word Study
cassava
CIDE DICTIONARY
cassava, n. [F. cassave, Sp. cazabe, fr. kasabi, in the language of Haiti.].
- A shrubby euphorbiaceous plant of the genus
Manihot , with fleshy rootstocks yielding an edible starch; -- called alsomanioc . [1913 Webster]" There are two species, bitter and sweet, from which the cassava of commerce is prepared in the West Indies, tropical America, and Africa. The bitter (Manihot utilissima ) is the more important; this has a poisonous sap, but by grating, pressing, and baking the root the poisonous qualities are removed. The sweet (Manihot Aipi ) is used as a table vegetable." [1913 Webster] - A nutritious starch obtained from the rootstocks of the cassava plant, used as food and in making tapioca. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cassava, n.
1 a any plant of the genus Manihot, esp. the cultivated varieties M. esculenta (bitter cassava) and M. dulcis (sweet cassava), having starchy tuberous roots. b the roots themselves.
2 a starch or flour obtained from these roots. Also called TAPIOCA, MANIOC.
1 a any plant of the genus Manihot, esp. the cultivated varieties M. esculenta (bitter cassava) and M. dulcis (sweet cassava), having starchy tuberous roots. b the roots themselves.
2 a starch or flour obtained from these roots. Also called TAPIOCA, MANIOC.
Etymology
earlier cas(s)avi etc., f. Taino casavi, infl. by F cassave
For further exploring for "cassava" in Webster Dictionary Online
