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onion

(Science: botany) A liliaceous plant of the genus allium (A.cepa), having a strong-flavored bulb and long hollow leaves; also, its bulbous root, much used as an article of food. The name is often extended to other species of the genus.

(Science: zoology) Onion fish, a dipterous insect whose larva feeds upon the onion; especially, anthomyia ceparum and Ortalis flexa. Welsh onion.

Origin: F. Ognon, fr. L. Unio oneness, unity, a single large pearl, an onion. See One, Union.