Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Yam
Yam
(yăm)
, Noun.
[Pg.
inhame
, probably from some native name.] 1.
(Bot.)
A large, esculent, farinaceous tuber of various climbing plants of the genus
Dioscorea
; also, the plants themselves. Mostly natives of warm climates. The plants have netted-veined, petioled leaves, and pods with three broad wings. The commonest species is Dioscorea sativa
, but several others are cultivated. Chinese yam
, a plant (
– Dioscorea Batatas
) with a long and slender tuber, hardier than most of the other species. Wild yam
. (a)
A common plant (
Dioscorea villosa
) of the Eastern United States, having a hard and knotty rootstock. (b)
An orchidaceous plant (
Gastrodia sesamoides
) of Australia and Tasmania.Webster 1828 Edition
Yam
YAM
,Noun.
Definition 2024
yam
yam
English
Yams.
Noun
yam (plural yams)
- Any climbing vine of the genus Dioscorea in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, usually cultivated.
- The edible, starchy, tuberous root of that plant, a tropical staple food.
- (US) A sweet potato; a tuber from the species Ipomoea batatas.
- (Scotland) Potato.
- (New Zealand) A oca; a tuber from the species Oxalis tuberosa.
Usage notes
Careful use distinguishes yams (genus Dioscorea) from sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), while casual American use conflates these.
Derived terms
Translations
any Dioscorea vine
|
|
its edible root
sweet potato — see sweet potato
potato — see potato
Etymology 2
Noun
yam (plural yams)
- (regional, Cumberland) home
Anagrams
Buwal
Noun
yam
References
- Mélanie Viljoen, Michael Viljoen, Pascal Konai, François Mbouvai, Ernest Koyang, Benjamin Deli, Précis d’orthographe pour la langue buwal - Édition préliminaire (2009, Yaoundé, SIL Cameroun)
Dutch
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /jɑm/
Noun
yam m (plural yams or yammen, diminutive yammetje n)
- yam, a tropical vine
- its edible root
Synonyms
Merey
Noun
yam
References
- Richard Gravina (compiler); Alan Boydell, Elie Doumok (facilitators), Merey lexicon (2003, SIL)
North Giziga
Noun
yam
References
- Etudes berbères et chamito-sémitiques: mélanges offerts à Karl-G. Prasse (2000, ISBN 9042908262), page 38
South Giziga
Noun
yam
References
- Etudes berbères et chamito-sémitiques: mélanges offerts à Karl-G. Prasse (2000, ISBN 9042908262), page 38
Zulgo-Gemzek
Noun
yam
References
- An Outline Sketch of Gemzek Grammar
- An Overview of Gemzek Narrative Discourse Features