esculenta
|es-cu-len-ta|
🇺🇸
/ˌɛskjʊˈlɛntə/
🇬🇧
/ˌɛskjuːˈlɛntə/
(esculent)
edible
Etymology
'esculenta' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'esculentus', where 'esca' meant 'food' and the suffix '-entus' formed adjectives indicating a quality.
'esculenta' changed from Medieval/Scientific Latin 'esculentus' (used as an adjective meaning 'edible') and was adopted into modern botanical Latin as the feminine form 'esculenta' used in species names (e.g. Colocasia esculenta).
Initially it meant 'of or pertaining to food; fit for eating' in Latin; over time it has been preserved chiefly in scientific names to indicate that a species is edible.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
(specialized) The specific epithet 'esculenta' used in biological (botanical or zoological) names to indicate that the species is edible.
In many plant names, 'esculenta' signals that the species was regarded as edible by early describers.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
edible; fit to be eaten (used especially as a Latin-based adjective or specific epithet).
Colocasia esculenta is commonly called taro and is cultivated for its edible corms.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/09 00:25