Lettuce

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈlÉ›tɪs/

Origin

From Middle English letuse, of uncertain precise origin; related to Old French laitue, from Latin lactūca ("lettuce"), from lac ("milk"), because of the milky fluid in its stalks.

Full definition of lettuce

Noun

1. An edible plant, Lactuca sativa and its close relatives, having a head of green and/or purple leaves.
2. (uncountable) The leaves of the lettuce plant, eaten as a vegetable; as a dish often mixed with other ingredients, dressing etc.I’ll have a ham sandwich with lettuce and tomato.
3. (uncountable, US, slang) United States paper currency; dollars.

Synonyms

• (US paper currency) cabbage, greenbacks

Derived terms

• lettuce leaf
• lettuce opium
• lettucey, lettucy
• sea lettuce