n. 1 a tropical plant, Solanum melongena, having erect or spreading branches bearing white or purple egg-shaped fruit. 2 this fruit eaten as a vegetable. Also called EGGPLANT. 3 the dark purple colour of this fruit.
[ F f. Cat. alberginia f. Arab. al-badinjan f. Pers. badingan f. Skr. vatimgana ]