Broccolinis

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A slender, tender variety of broccoli with delicate florets and long stems
2. A hybrid vegetable combining characteristics of broccoli and Chinese broccoli, known for its sweet and mild flavor
3. A nutritious green vegetable often used in stir-fries and salads, valued for its culinary versatility and health benefits

Etymology: "Broccolinis" is the plural of "broccolini," a word that began as a brand name. It was a trademark, presumably intended as a diminutive of "broccoli," so the "-ini" ending was meant to suggest something smaller or more delicate than its parent vegetable. The name was built to sound light and Italian-flavoured, borrowing the familiar "broccoli" and shrinking it into a product name. Because the word started as a trademark, its meaning began with a particular commercial plant rather than with the vegetable family as a whole. Over time, the brand name spread to become a general term for the crop, and the plural form "broccolinis" is used when speaking of several bunches or several varieties of it.