noun ·see jerusalem artichoke.
2. artichoke ·noun the cynara scolymus, a plant somewhat resembling a thistle, with a dilated, imbricated, and prickly involucre. the head (to which the name is also applied) 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.