n.
Variant: also chick · o · ry
Pronunciation: ' chi-k( ə -)r ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ries
Etymology: alteration of Middle English cicoree, from Anglo-French, from Latin cichoreum, from Greek kichoreia
Date: 15th century
1 : a thick-rooted usually blue-flowered European perennial composite herb ( Cichorium intybus ) widely grown for its roots and as a salad plant ― compare BELGIAN ENDIVE , RADICCHIO
2 : the dried ground roasted root of chicory used to flavor or adulterate coffee