n. 1. a. Any of numerous chiefly tropical vines of the genus Dioscorea, many of which have edible tuberous roots. b. The starchy root of any of these plants, used in the tropics as food. 2. See sweet potato. [Portuguese inhame or obsolete Spanish igname, iñame, both from Portuguese and English Creole nyam, to eat, of West African origin; Wolof ñam, food, to eat, or Bambara ñambu, manioc.] |
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