vegetablyadj.
/ˈvɛdʒ(ᵻ)təbli/, /ˈvɛdʒ(ᵻ)təbl̩i/, U.S. /ˈvɛdʒtəb(ə)li/, /ˈvɛdʒədəb(ə)li/ Of or relating to plants or plant matter, esp. vegetables; characteristic or reminiscent of vegetables; containing vegetables.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > [adjective]
vegetablea1500
vegetive1526
vegetant?1553
plantlike1567
vegetable1582
vegetal1596
plantal1642
vegetative1662
veg1765
vegetably1834
phytoid1853
phytiform1890
1834 Evangelical Mag. 3 May 144/2 A hard and unyielding crust unfit for the reception of seeds or the stimulation of vegetably growth.
1884 Murray's Mag. Aug. 262 ‘You are not fond of the country, Miss Naomi?’ ‘Not when it's very green, Mr. Nicholson. Not when it has a vegetably look.’
1917 G. W. James Arizona, Wonderland vi. 87 The pods of both varieties [sc. of bean] are buried in pits dug in the moist earth. This removes a certain ‘vegetably’ flavor from them.
1995 C. Coates Grands Vins 363/2 High-toned nose, a little vegetably.
1996 A. Shapiro Feast of Words 170 If you want a very vegetably risotto, use more asparagus.
2008 S. Samuels in K. Fay To Vietnam with Love iv. 147/1 I'd washed down the delicious, creamy, vegetably goodness with a big glass of refreshingly acerbic passion fruit juice.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
vegetablyadv.
/ˈvɛdʒ(ᵻ)təbli/, U.S. /ˈvɛdʒtəbəli/, /ˈvɛdʒ(ə)dəbəli/ 1. In the manner of a vegetable or vegetation; with vegetative properties.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > [adverb]
vegetably1624
1624 ‘E. Orandus’ tr. N. Flamel Expos. Hieroglyphicall Figures St. Innocent's Church-yard 193 The new body, inspired by the Ayre, liueth vegetably, which is a wonder.
1651 N. Biggs Matæotechnia Medicinæ Praxeωs 39 These things happen in plants vegetably animate.
1680 J. F. Houpreght tr. Bernardus Trevisanus in Aurifontina Chymica 236 This Philosophers Stone..takes and assimilates its like unto it self, to be multiplied by way of apposition, and not vegetably.
1922 Musical Q. 8 467 She [sc. Jenny Lind], too, is a German, every bit as much as her naturally grown and vegetably torpid sisters on the Elbe and the Neckar.
2009 C. Keller in A. Schuele & T. Gunter Who is Jesus Christ for us Today? iii. viii. 122 Every creature in a creature's own way is called. Persons personally, animals bestially, plants vegetably.
2. With respect to or by means of vegetables; (also) towards or in favour of vegetables.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > wild and cultivated plants > food plant or vegetable > [adverb]
vegetably1740
1740 T. Short Ess. Hist. Princ. Mineral Waters 175 Hereby vegetably become an infallible Test, to discover the most latent Principles in Mineral Waters, and..discover the hitherto secret Virtues of Vegetables.
1827 Examiner 248/1 There is a bold enrichment in the vegetably-marked foreground.
1855 J. D. Burn Lang. Walls 234 The logical difference between British leaves and the China plant known by the name of Tea may be vegetably small.
1872 F. Francis Bk. Angling (ed. 3) i. 29 A bait for roach when they are vegetably minded.
1920 Leather Manufacturer Mar. 86/1 Sheepskins intended to be retanned vegetably with sumac..are generally pickled with the idea of getting an agreeable, delicate colour.
1992 N.Y. Times 29 Oct. a27/3 Mr. Rather said President Bush and Vice President Quayle were vegetably impaired. One won't eat broccoli and the other can't spell potato.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1834adv.1624