Hypertext Webster Gateway: "yam"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Yam \Yam\ (y[a^]m), n. [Pg. inhame, probably from some native
name.] (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 {D. sativa}, but several
others are cultivated.
{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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Yam \Yam\, n. (Bot.)
Any one of several cultural varieties of the sweet potato.
[U. S.]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (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
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