VEG'ETABLE, noun [Latin vigeo, to grow.]

1. A plant; an organized body destitute of sense and voluntary motion, deriving its nourishment through pores or vessels on its outer surface, in most instances adhering to some other body, as the earth, and in general, propagating itself by seeds. some vegetables have spontaneous motion, as the sunflower. Vegetables alone have the power of deriving nourishment from inorganic matter, or organic matter entirely decomposed.

2. In a more limited sense, vegetables are such plants as are used for culinary purposes and cultivated in gardens, or are destined for feeding cattle and sheep. Vegetables for these uses are such as are of a more soft and fleshy substance than trees and shrubs; such as cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, potatoes, peas, beans, etc.

VEG'ETABLE, adjective

1. Belonging to plants; as a vegetable nature; vegetable qualities; vegetable juices.

2. Consisting of plants; as the vegetable kingdom.

3. having the nature of plants; as a vegetable body.