ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1.
a. : a hairy upright somewhat woody perennial herb ( Solanum melongena ) that is prob. native to southeastern Asia but is widely cultivated in many horticultural varieties usually as an annual for its edible purple, white, or occasionally yellow or striped fruits which are commonly used as a vegetable — called also aubergine, brinjal, garden egg
b. : the usually smooth ovoid fruit of the eggplant
2. : a variable color averaging a blackish purple that is bluer and stronger than burgundy (sense 2b) — called also aubergine