camomile

American  

[kam-uh-mahyl, -meel] / ˈkæm əˌmaɪl, -ˌmil /

noun

1. a variant of chamomile.

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camomile British  

/ ˈkæməˌmaɪl /

noun

1. any aromatic plant of the Eurasian genus Anthemis, esp A. nobilis, whose finely dissected leaves and daisy-like flowers are used medicinally: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. any plant of the related genus Matricaria, esp M. chamomilla ( German or wild camomile )

3. a medicinal beverage made from the fragrant leaves and flowers of any of these plants

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Etymology

Origin of camomile

C14: from Old French camomille, from Medieval Latin chamomilla, from Greek khamaimēlon, literally, earth-apple (referring to the apple-like scent of the flowers)

Example Sentences

Camomile tea has been used topically to treat eczema, but we did not know it could provide pain relief.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2023

City of London Police has cordoned off part of Bishopsgate, near to its corner with Camomile Street, after being called at 09:46 BST.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2022

She’d already worked as a professional actor, at the age of ten, in a television drama, “The Camomile Lawn,” which her father directed.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 3, 2017

Her parents divorced in 1990, and a couple years later Mr. Hall cast Ms. Hall, then 9, in his mini-series “The Camomile Lawn.”

From New York Times • Oct. 4, 2016

I don't appear to 'ave a card about me, sir, but my address is Lamb's Court, Camomile Street—leastways I do my sleepin' not far off of it.

From Stephen Archer and Other Tales by MacDonald, George