n. 1. a. An annual Asian plant (Fagopyrum esculentum) having clusters of small whitish or pinkish flowers and small, starchy, triangular seeds. b. The edible seeds of this plant, used either whole or ground into flour. 2. Any of several similar or related plants. [Probably partial translation of Middle Dutch boecweite : boek, beech (from the resemblance of the three-sided seeds of buckwheat to beechnuts ); see bhāgo- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + weite, wheat.] |
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