radish

Noun

radish (countable and uncountable, plural radishes)

1. A plant of the Brassicaceae family, Raphanus sativus or Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus, having an edible root.
   • Many times they ſow divers ſeeds in a Bed together, as Radiſhes and Carrots, that by ſuch time as the Carrots come up, the Radiſhes may be gone. Upon beds newly ſet with Licorice they ſow Onions or Radiſh, or Lettice if their Licorice plants or ground be but weak, ſo as not quickly to cauſe a...1659 (indicated as 1660), Robert Sharrock, “Of Propagation by Seed”, in The History of the Propagation & Improvement of Vegetables by the Concurrence of Art and Nature: …, Oxford: Printed by A....
   • The newly-introduced radish, which has attracted the attention of horticulturists so much of late, is certainly a novelty, inasmuch as the edible portion of the plant is the seed-vessel, and not the root. The common radish, in its numerous varieties, in such an exceedingly popular salad-plant, that...1866 June 1, J. R. Jackson, “The New Vegetable (Raphanus caudatus.)”, in Nature and Art, volume I, number I, London: Day & Son, Limited. 6 Gate Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, (W.C.), →OCLC, page 8
2. The root of this plant used as food. Some varieties are pungent and usually eaten raw in salads, etc., while others have a milder taste and are cooked.
   • Fat people ſhould not eat freely of oily, nouriſhing diet. They ought frequently to eat radiſh, garlic, ſpices, or ſuch things as are heating, and promote perſpiration and urine.1791, Mary Cole, “[The Family Physician; or, The Country Lady’s Benevolent Employment.] General instructions, which will, if followed, infallibly prolong life.”, in […] The Lady’s Complete Guide; or...
   • The flavors of radicchio and radish are delicious with only a touch of balsamic vinegar for a dressing.1993, Linda Gassenheimer, “Veal Dinners”, in Dinner in Minutes: Memorable Meals for Busy Cooks, New York, N.Y.: Houghton Mifflin Company, →ISBN, page 290
3. (in-compounds) Some other root plant of genus Raphanus or family Brassicaceae.
   • rat-tail radish (Raphanus caudatus); wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum)
   • The Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum), is Edward's trophy, brought from a piece of waste ground near Hawkhurst, in Kent. The petals are white or pale lilac, veined distinctly with a deeper shade. The Sea Radish (R. maritimus,[…]), is primrose-coloured, also veined. Fanny brought it from the...1863, Margaret Plues, “Cruciferæ”, in Rambles in Search of Wild Flowers, and How to Distinguish Them, London: Journal of Horticulture and Cottage Gardener Office, 162, Fleet Street, E.C., →OCLC, page...