brassica

See also: Brassica

English

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin brassica.

Pronunciation

(UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˈbɹæs.ɪ.kə/

Noun

brassica (plural brassicas or brassicae)

Any of many plants of the genus Brassica, including cabbage, mustard and rapes
Synonym: crucifer
- 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.

Derived terms

glucobrassicin

Translations

any plant of the cabbage family

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

Latin

Etymology

Unknown origin. Suggested derivations include a contraction of praesecāre, a compound of prae- (“before, in front”) + secāre (“to cut, to cut off”), interpreted as either “to cut off early” – referring to its harvesting during the autumn for early winter food – or as “to cut off the head”, attested in the latter sense in a Plautus comedy.

Pronunciation

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

Noun

brassica f (genitive brassicae); first declension

especially cabbage, but including cauliflower and other varieties of Brassica oleracea
Synonym: caulis

Declension

First-declension noun.

	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: praissech
- Irish: praiseach
→ Proto-Slavic: *brosky (see there for further descendants)
→? Serbo-Croatian: raštika
→ Proto-Brythonic: *brėsɨx
- Middle Welsh: bressych
  - Welsh: bresych

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)