alˈfalfə, attrib (ˈ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Spanish, modification of Arabic dialect (Spain) al-faṣfaṣah the alfalfa, alteration of al-fiṣfiṣah
: an important European leguminous forage plant ( Medicago sativa ) with trifoliate leaves and bluish purple flowers grown widely and principally for hay, capable of surviving dry periods because of its extraordinarily long root system, and adapted to widely varying conditions of climate and soil — called also lucerne