/chik"euh ree/ , n. , pl. chicories .
1. a composite plant, Cichorium intybus, having bright-blue flower heads and toothed oblong leaves, cultivated as a salad plant and for its root, which is used roasted and ground as a substitute for or additive to coffee. Cf. endive (def. 2).
2. the root of this plant.
Also, chiccory .
[ 1350-1400; chicoree, alter. of earlier cicoree (by influence of It cicoria ) cichorea kichória, kíchora (neut. plurals); r. ME cicoree ]