chickory

Noun

chicory (countable and uncountable, plural chicories)

1. (countable) Either of two plants of the Asteraceae family.
   • Endive—is another species of chicory, and a native of the East Indies. It was introduced into this country in 1548, is a hardy annual, requires a rich soil to secure its rapid maturity, and is blanched by tying up the leaves when it has attained its full growth. [...] It is used as a salad, ragout...1843, William Davidson, “Vegetables. [Chicory or Succory—Endive.]”, in A Treatise on Diet, Comprising the Natural History, Properties, Composition, Adulterations and Uses of the Vegetables, Animals...
   1. (UK) Common chicory (Cichorium intybus), source of Belgian endive, radicchio, and certain other cultivars with other names.
      • sugarloaf chicory
   2. (Canada, US) Endive (Cichorium endivia), the source of escarole and frisée.
      • The leaves of the cultivated chicory, endive, when blanched, form an ingredient in early spring salads.1821, A. F. M. Willich, Thomas Cooper, “CHICORIUM INTUBUS”, in The Domestic Encyclopedia; or, Dictionary of Facts and Useful Knowledge, Chiefly Applicable to Rural & Domestic Economy. […] In Three...
2. (uncountable) A coffee substitute made from the roasted roots of the common chicory, sometimes used as a cheap adulterant in real coffee.
   • The Coffee planters have invariably waged war against the use of Chicory, under the conscientious conviction that every ounce of Chicory consumed in England displaced an ounce of their Coffee in the market. [...] That the prudent, sensible, moderate use of Chicory has been abused, there can be no...1829, William Law, “Letter V. A Chapter on Chicory.”, in The History of Coffee, including a Chapter on Chicory, London; Edinburgh: Reprinted by William and George Law, […], published 1850, →OCLC...