ar·ti·choke / ˈärtiˌchōk/ • n. 1. (also globe artichoke) a European plant (Cynara scolymus) of the daisy family cultivated for its large thistlelike flowerheads. ∎  the unopened flowerhead of this, of which the heart and the fleshy bases of the bracts are edible. 2. see Jerusalem artichoke.

artichoke plant allied to the thistle, having edible parts XVI; Jerusalem a. species of sunflower with edible tuberous roots XVII. Earliest forms archicokk, -choke, artechock, etc. — northern It. arti-, arciciocco — OSp. alcarchofa (mod. alcachofa) — Arab. al-ḵaršūfa, i.e. AL-2. ḵaršūf artichoke.

artichoke (globe artichoke) Tall, thistle-like perennial plant with large, edible, immature flower heads, native to the Mediterranean region. It has spiny leaves and blue flowers. Height: 0.9–1.5m (3–5ft). Family Asteraceae/Compositae; species Cynara scolymus. A different plant, the Jerusalem artichoke, is grown for its edible tubers. Family Asteraceae/Compositae; species Helianthus tuberosus.