Yam

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Yam \Yam\ (y[a^]m), n. [Pg. inhame, probably from some native
     name.]
     1. (Bot.) A large, esculent, farinaceous tuber of various
        climbing plants of the genus {Dioscorea}; also, the plants
        themselves. Mostly natives of warm climates. The plants
        have netted-veined, petioled leaves, and pods with three


        broad wings. The commonest species is {Dioscorea sativa},
        but several others are cultivated.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.) Any one of several cultural varieties of the sweet
        potato. [U. S.]
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     {Chinese yam}, a plant ({Dioscorea Batatas}) with a long and
        slender tuber, hardier than most of the other species.
  
     {Wild yam}.
        (a) A common plant ({Dioscorea villosa}) of the Eastern
            United States, having a hard and knotty rootstock.
        (b) An orchidaceous plant ({Gastrodia sesamoides}) of
            Australia and Tasmania.
            [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  yam
       n 1: edible tuber of any of several yams
       2: any of a number of tropical vines of the genus Dioscorea
          many having edible tuberous roots [syn: {yam plant}]
       3: sweet potato with deep orange flesh that remains moist when
          baked
       4: edible tuberous root of various yam plants of the genus
          Dioscorea grown in the tropics world-wide for food