Wheatgrass

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An immature grass from the wheat plant, primarily consumed for its health-enhancing properties, is rich in vitamins and minerals
2. This young grass, originating from wheat, is praised for its nutritional value and is commonly used in health drinks and supplements
3. A type of young grass derived from wheat, valued for its health benefits, is often incorporated into dietary supplements and beverages for its rich nutrient content

Etymology: Wheatgrass is a plain compound: "wheat" joined to "grass." Wheat is the cereal whose name goes back to Old English "hwǣte," and grass is the broad word for the green herbage that covers pasture and lawn. Put together, the name simply describes the young shoots of the wheat plant, harvested while they are still soft and leafy, before the plant grows into the grain-bearing stalk. The interest lies in what the word is used for now. Rather than a farm crop being cut for its grain, the young shoots are pressed into juice, sold as a health drink, or dried and ground into powder for supplements. The name keeps its agricultural literalness, but the thing it names has moved from the field to the juice bar.