alexanders

[ al-ig-zan-derz, -zahn- ]

/ ˌæl ɪgˈzæn dərz, -ˈzɑn- /

noun, plural al·ex·an·ders. (used with a singular or plural verb)

a tall plant, Angelica atropurpurea, of the parsley family, having broad clusters of small white flowers.

a related plant, Smyrnium olusatrum, having yellowish flowers.

Nearby words

alexander v, alexander vi, alexander vii, alexander viii, alexander's deafness, alexanders, alexanderson, alexandra, alexandra feodorovna, alexandretta, alexandria

Origin of alexanders

probably < French alexandre(s); compare Middle English alisaundre (< OF), Old English alexandre < Medieval Latin (petroselīnum) Alexandrīnum a name for Smyrnium olusatrum, and synonymous with Medieval Latin petroselīnum Macedonicum, apparently through association of Macedonia with Alexander the Great; cf. parsley

Definition for alexanders (2 of 3)

alexander

[ al-ig-zan-der, -zahn- ]

/ ˌæl ɪgˈzæn dər, -ˈzɑn- /

noun (often initial capital letter)

a cocktail made with crème de cacao with gin or brandy (brandy alexander) and sweet cream.

Origin of alexander

First recorded in 1925–30; probably after the proper name

Definition for alexanders (3 of 3)

Alexander

[ al-ig-zan-der, -zahn- ]

/ ˌæl ɪgˈzæn dər, -ˈzɑn- /

noun

Alexander the Great.

Also Alexandros. Classical Mythology. Homeric name for Paris.

Franz

[frants, franz, frahnts] /frænts, frænz, frɑnts/, 1891–1964, U.S. psychoanalyst, born in Hungary.

Grover Cleveland,1887–1950, U.S. baseball player.

Sir Harold R. L. G.Alexander of Tunis, 1891–1969, English field marshal.

Samuel,1859–1938, British philosopher.

William,1726–83, general in the American Revolution.

a male given name: from a Greek word meaning “defender of men.”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for alexanders

Alexanders great empire, which had extended over half Asia, had fallen to pieces.
Ancient Rome|Mary Agnes Hamilton
Your Alexanders and Hannibals were nothing, at all to him, sir—Corporals!
The Expedition of Humphry Clinker|Tobias Smollett
The prophylaxis of disease is in Alexanders opinion the important part of the physicians duty.
Medieval Medicine|James J. (James Joseph) Walsh
His father was Parmenio, the most experienced of Alexanders generals.
The Anabasis of Alexander|Arrian of Nicomedia

In answer to Alexanders inquiry as to the state of France he gave a very cheerful (and totally untrue) account.
Talleyrand|Joseph McCabe

British Dictionary definitions for alexanders (1 of 2)

alexanders

/ (ˌælɪɡˈzɑːndəz) /

noun

a biennial umbelliferous plant, Smyrnium olusatrum, native to S Europe, with dense umbels of yellow-green flowers and black fruits

golden alexanders an umbelliferous plant, Zizia aurea, of North America, having yellow flowers in compound umbels

Word Origin for alexanders

Old English, from Medieval Latin alexandrum, probably (through association in folk etymology with Alexander the Great) changed from Latin holus atrum black vegetable

British Dictionary definitions for alexanders (2 of 2)

Alexander

/ (ˌælɪɡˈzɑːndə) /

noun

Harold (Rupert Leofric George), Earl Alexander of Tunis. 1891–1969, British field marshal in World War II, who organized the retreat from Dunkirk and commanded in North Africa (1943) and Sicily and Italy (1944–45); governor general of Canada (1946–52); British minister of defence (1952–54)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012