onion

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: on=ion

CIDE DICTIONARY

onion, n. [F. ognon, fr. L. unio oneness, unity, a single large pearl, an onion. See One, Union.].

•  A liliaceous plant of the genus Allium (Allium cepa), having a strong-flavored bulb and long hollow leaves; also, its bulbous root, much used as an article of food. The name is often extended to other species of the genus.  [1913 Webster]
•  The flavor of an onion{1}.  [PJC]

Onion fish (Zoöl.), the grenadier. -- Onion fly (Zoöl.) a dipterous insect whose larva feeds upon the onion; especially, Anthomyia ceparum and Ortalis flexa. -- Welsh onion. (Bot.) See Cibol. -- Wild onion (Bot.), a name given to several species of the genus Allium.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

onion, n.
1 a liliaceous plant, Allium cepa, having a short stem and bearing greenish-white flowers.
2 the swollen bulb of this with many concentric skins used in cooking, pickling, etc.

Idiom

know one's onions be fully knowledgeable or experienced. onion dome a bulbous dome on a church, palace, etc. onion-skin
1 the brown outermost skin or any outer skin of an onion.
2 thin smooth translucent paper.

Derivative

oniony adj.

Etymology

ME f. AF union, OF oignon ult. f. L unio -onis

ROGET THESAURUS

onion

Condiment

N condiment, seasoning, sauce, spice, relish, appetizer, salt, mustard, grey poupon mustard, pepper, black pepper, white pepper, peppercorn, curry, sauce piquante, caviare, onion, garlic, pickle, achar, allspice, bell pepper, Jamaica pepper, green pepper, chutney, cubeb, pimento, capsicum, red pepper, chili peppers, cayenne, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, oregano, cloves, fennel, pot herbs, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, marjoram, frankincense, balm, myrrh, paprika, saffron, ginger, turmeric.