Po-tā′to, n.

n.; pl. PO-TA′TŌES. [Fr. patate, batate, It. patata, Sp. patata, batata, Pg. batata, Peruv. papa, pagnu, Braz. openenc.] (Bot.) A plant (Solanum tuberosum), and its esculent, farinaceous tuber, largely used for food, and in various farinaceous preparations. It is a native of South America.

Sweet potato, a climbing plant (Batatas edulis [Convolvulus batatas of Linnaeus]), allied to the morning-glory. Its farinaceous tubers have a sweetish taste, and are used, when cooked, for food. It is a native of the Malayan peninsula, but is cultivated extensively in other warm regions, as the shores of the Mediterranean, and in the Southern and Middle United States. — Wild potato, a vine (Ipomœa pandurata) having a pale, purplish flower and an enormous root. It is common, in sandy places, in the United States.