beet

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

beet, n. [AS. bete, from L. beta.].

•  A biennial plant of the genus Beta, which produces an edible root the first year and seed the second year.  [1913 Webster]
•  The root of plants of the genus Beta, different species and varieties of which are used for the table, for feeding stock, or in making sugar.  [1913 Webster]

  " There are many varieties of the common beet (Beta vulgaris). The Old “white beet”, cultivated for its edible leafstalks, is a distinct species (Beta Cicla)."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

beet, n. any plant of the genus Beta with an edible root (see BEETROOT, sugar beet).

Etymology

OE bete f. L beta, perh. of Celt. orig.