brassica

See also: Brassica

English

Brassica rapa

Etymology

From Latin brassica.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈbɹæs.ɪ.kə/

Noun

brassica (plural brassicas or brassicae)

1. Any of many plants of the genus Brassica, including cabbage, mustard and rapes
   • 1930, Welsh Journal of Agriculture, pages 296 and 340:

     The destruction of the roots of brassicae by the Cabbage Root Fly and the tunnels in carrots and onions caused by the larvae of the Carrot and Onion Flies respectively, usually followed by rotting of the affected plants, are very frequently observed, whereas in the past, measures for the control of these pests have been very inadequate. […] When visited on June 13 over 50 per cent. of the brassicae were attacked by cabbage root maggot and many had already been transplanted.

   • 1957, Technical Bulletin, pages 145 and 213:

     Some brassicae, particularly cauliflower, kale and swedes, may show symptoms similar to boron deficiency which are due to other causes. […] It has been found that seed dressings of molybdate are effective in overcoming molybdenum deficiency in peas and beans and it was suggested that a similar technique should also be tried with brassicae.

   • 1959, Commercial Grower Handbook and Diary, page 93:

     Selective weed control in onions, leeks, and some brassicae. Time of Application: Brassicae—two to four true leaves. Onions—after the crook stage. Leeks—after the crook stage, but before four leaves have developed.

Synonyms

• (plant of genus Brassica): crucifer

Translations

cabbage family

• French: brassique (fr) f
• Greek: κράμβη (el) f (krámvi)
• Macedonian: зе́лка f (zélka), бра́зика f (brázika)
• Portuguese: brássica f
• Russian: капу́ста (ru) f (kapústa)

See also

• Brassica on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Brassica on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• Brassica on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons

Latin

brassica (a cabbage)

Etymology

Unknown origin. Suggested derivations include

• From Proto-Celtic *bresic, *bresych (“cabbage”) (though this could have been a reverse borrowing); compare Welsh bresych
• Contraction of praesecare (“to cut off early”), from prae- + secare, referring to its harvesting during the autumn for early winter food
• From a Latin word meaning "to cut off the head," attested in a Plautus comedy.

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈbras.si.ka/, [ˈbräs̠ːɪkä]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈbras.si.ka/, [ˈbräsːikä]

Noun

brassica f (genitive brassicae); first declension

1. especially cabbage, but including cauliflower and other varieties of Brassica oleracea

   Synonym: caulis

Declension

First-declension noun.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	brassica	brassicae
Genitive	brassicae	brassicārum
Dative	brassicae	brassicīs
Accusative	brassicam	brassicās
Ablative	brassicā	brassicīs
Vocative	brassica	brassicae

Descendants

• → English: brassica
• → Translingual: Brassica
• → Old Irish: praisech
  • Irish: praiseach
• → Welsh: bresych
• → Serbo-Croatian: raštika (collard)

References

• “brassica”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• “brassica”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• brassica in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.
• Dixon, Geoffrey (2007): Vegetable Brassicas and Related Crucifers
• Henslow (1908)
• Hegi (1919)
• Gates (1953)