rapeseed

/ɹˈeɪpsid/

rapeseed

English Noun

Definition

The seed of the rape plant (Brassica napus), used widely for animal feed and vegetable oil.

Etymology

From Middle English rape sede, rape seed, equivalent to rape (“rapeseed plant(s)”) + seed. As a meronym for the entire plant, from the need to distinguish the plant from the etymologically unrelated verb and act rape. In this context, rape is from Latin rāpa, from rāpum (“turnip”).