Collards

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of leafy green vegetable belonging to the cabbage family, known for its slightly bitter flavor and high nutritional value
2. A variety of kale characterized by large, dark green, and edible leaves, often used in Southern cuisine
3. A nutritious vegetable often cooked or sautéed, commonly associated with traditional dishes in various cultures

Etymology: "Collards" is the plural of "collard," a shortened form of "colewort," an older English name for cabbage and its leafy greens. The longer word came into Middle English as "colewort" or "coolwort," built from "cole," meaning cabbage, and "wort," meaning plant or herb, a word still found in names like St. John's wort and liverwort. Over time speakers clipped the middle of "colewort" away, leaving the shorter form "collard." The plural ending is what most readers take for granted, but it reflects how the word was used. "Collard" was typically spoken of as a crop, so people referred to "collards" as a bunch of leafy greens rather than a single plant.

Synonyms: greens, vegetables, leafy greens