/ahr"ti chohk'/ , n.
1. a tall, thistlelike composite plant, Cynara scolymus, native to the Mediterranean region, of which the numerous scalelike bracts and receptacle of the immature flower head are eaten as a vegetable.
2. the large, rounded, closed flower head itself.
3. See Jerusalem artichoke . Also called globe artichoke (for defs. 1, 2).
[ 1525-35; articiocco, var. (by dissimilation) of arciciocco, arcicioffo arcarcioffo alcarchofa al-kharshuf the artichoke ]