Meaning & Definition of word "Cabbage"

Cabbage

/ˈkæbɪdʒ/

noun:

  • 1. A leafy green vegetable, typically round, that is commonly used in salads, soups, and various dishes.
    • Example: I bought a fresh cabbage from the farmer's market to make coleslaw.
  • 2. The edible head of any of several varieties of this plant, particularly Brassica oleracea, which can be green, red, or savoy.
    • Example: The recipe calls for boiling the cabbage until it is tender.
  • 3. Used colloquially, it can refer to the leafy heads of certain related plants, often used in cooking.
    • Example: We should get some cabbage for the stir-fry; it adds a nice crunch.
  • 4. Informally, it can indicate an inability to think clearly; a term used, often derogatorily, for a person whose mental faculties are impaired.
    • Example: After that long meeting, I felt like my brain was turning to cabbage.

Etymology

Middle English: from Old French 'cabbage', from Latin 'capitia', a diminutive of 'caput' meaning 'head'

Common Phrases and Expressions

cabbage head:

A term used to describe a dull or unthinking person.

cabbage patch:

A place where cabbages or vegetables are grown.

Related Words

kale:

A leafy green vegetable similar to cabbage, often used in salads.

brassica:

A genus of plants that includes cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Slang Meanings of cabbage

Meaning: Cabbage can refer to money, particularly in the context of cash.

Example Sentence: I've saved up some cabbage to buy a new car.

Meaning: In some contexts, cabbage can refer to something worthless or unimportant.

Example Sentence: That old gadget is just a piece of cabbage.