I. ˈvej-tə-bəl, ˈve-jə- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin vegetabilis vegetative, from vegetare to grow, from Latin, to animate, from vegetus lively, from vegēre to enliven — more at wake
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : of, relating to, constituting, or growing like plants
b. : consisting of plants : vegetational
2. : made from, obtained from, or containing plants or plant products
vegetable soup
vegetable fat
3. : resembling or suggesting a plant (as in inertness or passivity)
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. : plant 1b
2. : a usually herbaceous plant (as the cabbage, bean, or potato) grown for an edible part that is usually eaten as part of a meal ; also : such an edible part
3. : a person whose mental and physical functioning is severely impaired and especially one who requires supportive measures (as mechanical ventilation) to survive