Broccolini

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /bɹɒ.kəˈliːni/

Definitions

1. A vegetable that is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli, known for its slender stalks and small tops while providing a sweeter flavor profile
2. This plant, which combines the characteristics of broccoli and gai lan, features delicate stems and florets and is used in various culinary dishes
3. A green vegetable that results from hybridization between broccoli and Chinese broccoli, noted for its tender stems and mild taste

Etymology: Broccolini is a trademark. It was coined for a vegetable that crosses broccoli with gai lan, the Chinese kale also called Chinese broccoli, and the name was built to sound like a diminutive of broccoli, with the "-ini" ending borrowed from Italian, where it often marks something small or delicate. The plant's slender stalks and small florets fit that suggestion of a smaller, more refined broccoli. Because it began as a brand name, the word's history is tied to a specific product rather than to an older folk term. Its meaning was fixed by the trademark owner and the marketing that followed, so it describes one particular hybrid. Other growers sell similar crosses under different names, which is why the word still reads as a proper brand even when used as a common noun.

Synonyms: baby broccoli, vegetable, greens, brassica, plant