noun
also chic·co·ry or chick·o·ry ˈchik(ə)rē, -ri
( -es )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by French chicorée ) of Middle English cicoree, from Middle French chicorée, cichorée, from Latin cichoreum, cichorium, from Greek kichora, kichoreia
1. : a thick-rooted usually blue-flowered perennial herb ( Cichorium intybus ) that is native to Europe but widely grown for its young leaves which are used as salad greens and for its roots and that in many areas (as in parts of Australia and the United States) has escaped to become a serious weed pest — called also witloof ; see endive
2. : the dried ground roasted root of chicory used to flavor or adulterate coffee
3. or chicory blue : a light bluish gray that is greener and deeper than sky gray — called also succory blue