Roquettes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A plural term that can refer to a type of small missile or rocket used as a weapon; also describes leafy green plants, especially arugula, used in salads and cooking; additionally, it can denote a small, fast-moving firework or pyrotechnic device
2. Refers collectively to certain military projectiles launched from portable devices; denotes edible leafy vegetables with a peppery flavor often used in culinary dishes; furthermore, it may signify short, slender fireworks that emit sparks and noises when ignited
3. Used to describe multiple rocket-propelled weapons designed for military purposes; identifies a group of salad greens known for their spicy taste; also applies to minor pyrotechnic rockets often used in celebrations and displays

Etymology: "Roquettes" is simply the plural of "roquette," the French word for the salad green also called rocket. In English, the plural is used for the military and festive projectiles, and the salad plant, with the French form keeping its distinct identity. The French word itself came from Italian "ruchetta," a diminutive of "ruca," the Latin-derived name for the same leafy plant, so the English word "rocket" and the French "roquette" are cognates that came by different routes into each language. The salad green and the rocket share a single origin, so the same name ended up on both a peppery leaf and a firework. The shared root gives the connection: the pale, hissing projectile took its name from the plant, which in turn was named from its Latin source, and the French form entered English as a borrowing that kept its foreign spelling for the vegetable's culinary sense.

Synonyms: arugulas, rocket leaves