Define the word Yam"Yam" gcide "The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48"
Yam \Yam\ (y[a^]m), n. [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.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) Any one of several cultural varieties of the sweet
potato. [U. S.]
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
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.
[1913 Webster]
"yam" wn "WordNet (r) 2.0"
yam
n 1: edible tuber of any of several yams
2: any of a number of tropical vines of the genus Dioscorea
many having edible tuberous roots [syn: yam plant]
3: sweet potato with deep orange flesh that remains moist when
baked
4: edible tuberous root of various yam plants of the genus
Dioscorea grown in the tropics world-wide for food
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