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Webster 1913 Edition


Fennel

Fen′nel

(fĕn′nĕl)
,
Noun.
[AS.
fenol
,
finol
, from L.
feniculum
,
faeniculum
, dim. of
fenum
,
faenum
, hay: cf. F.
fenouil
. Cf.
Fenugreek
.
Finochio
.]
(Bot.)
A perennial plant of the genus
Fæniculum
(
Fæniculum vulgare
), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds.
Smell of sweetest
fennel
.
Milton.
A sprig of
fennel
was in fact the theological smelling bottle of the tender sex.
S. G. Goodrich.
Azorean fennel
, or
Sweet fennel
,
(
Fæniculum dulce
). It is a smaller and stouter plant than the common fennel, and is used as a pot herb.
Dog’s fennel
(
Anthemis Cotula
), a foul-smelling European weed; – called also
mayweed
.
Fennel flower
(Bot.)
,
an herb (
Nigella
) of the Buttercup family, having leaves finely divided, like those of the fennel.
Nigella Damascena
is common in gardens.
Nigella sativa
furnishes the fennel seed, used as a condiment, etc., in India. These seeds are the “fitches” mentioned in Isaiah (xxviii. 25).
Fennel water
(Med.)
,
the distilled water of fennel seed. It is stimulant and carminative.
Giant fennel
(
Ferula communis
), has stems full of pith, which, it is said, were used to carry fire, first, by Prometheus.
Hog's fennel
,
a European plant (
Peucedanum officinale
) looking something like fennel.

Webster 1828 Edition


Fennel

FEN'NEL

,
Noun.
[L. faeiculum, from faenum, hay.]
A fragrant plant of the genus Anethum, cultivated in gardens.

Definition 2024


fennel

fennel

English

The plant Foeniculum vulgare.
Fennel seed.

Noun

fennel (usually uncountable, plural fennels)

  1. A plant, Foeniculum vulgare, of the parsley family, which has a sweet, anise-like flavor.
  2. The bulb, leaves, or stalks of the plant, eaten as a vegetable.
  3. The seeds of the fennel plant used as a spice in cooking.

Derived terms

Translations