Ar'ti-chōke, n.

n. [It. articiocco, Fr. artichaut, Ger. artischoke, artischocke, from Ar. ardi scheuki, i. e., earth-thorn. Cf. It. carciofo, Sp. alcarchofa, alcachofa, Pg. alcachofra, from Ar. al-harschaf.] (Bot.) The Cynara scolymus, a plant somewhat resembling a thistle, with a dilated, imbricated, and prickly calyx. The head is composed of numerous oval scales, inclosing the florets, sitting on a broad receptacle, which, with the fleshy base of the scales, is much esteemed as an article of food.

Jerusalem artichoke, a species of sunflower (Helianthus tuberosus), bearing a tuber like that of the potato. The term Jerusalem is a corruption of the It. girasole, sunflower.